5 Strange Household Items to Clean With

 

Did you know you can clean your home with toothpaste? How about ketchup? Whether you want to avoid using harsh chemicals, ran out of cleaner and don’t want to take a trip to the store, or are just looking to get creative with what you have, below are five strange items you can clean your home with.

Toothpaste. Do you notice hard water stains on the exterior of your home or car windows? A little toothpaste can take care of that. Choose a non-gel variety, squirt a bit of paste onto a clean, damp rag, and rub in a circular motion to remove the stains. Wipe down with a clean, wet sponge or cloth to remove paste residue.

Ketchup. America’s favorite condiment also makes a terrific cleaner for brass, jewelry and silver. Why? The tomatoes in ketchup up its acetic acid content to around 4 percent.

Olive oil. Is your coffee or dining room table riddled with rings from cold or warm beverages? Buff it out with a mixture of olive oil and salt, and remember to stay patient. The mixture can take several hours to take effect.

Vinegar. There are myriad ways to use white vinegar to clean your home. Make a mixture of half vinegar, half water to clean your walls, counters, shelves, fridge, and more. Have a pesky clogged drain? Skip the harsh chemical-ridden products. Simply dump two tablespoons of baking soda down the drain and follow it with a cup of vinegar for a fizzy, clean effect.

Salt. Salt, especially when combined with an acid, makes surfaces sparkle. Use salt and lemon juice to buff your stainless-steel appliances. Because it’s absorbent, salt is also a natural odor eliminator you could sprinkle in your stinky, post-workout sneakers.

Do these strange, yet inexpensive, household cleaning tips sound intriguing enough to try out around your home? If so, have some fun!

How to Take Care of Your Wood Furniture

 

Quality wood furniture can last a lifetime and is often a treasured heirloom, passed down through multiple generations. Still, even the highest-quality wood is susceptible to scratches and abrasions if not properly cared for. Here are a few tips to keep wood looking its best for many years to come.

Don’t Mistreat Furniture
To avoid rings and heat damage, always use coasters when setting glasses or mugs on wood tables, and never place hot food directly on them without the protection of a trivet or potholder. Incorporate decorative placemats or a tablecloth to protect your dining room table from food and drink spills.

Avoid Environmental Damage
Sunlight, heat and other environmental factors can wreak havoc on your fine wood. Don’t place valuable furniture in front of uncovered windows, vents or fireplaces, as the light and heat can damage and fade the wood.

Keep Your Wood Clean
Airborne particles can build a filmy layer on wood that scratches the surface. Frequent dusting keeps this buildup from happening. If you have a spot that’s heavily soiled or sticky, never use all-purpose cleaners, which can cause damage to the wood’s finish. Wipe it down with a damp cloth using water and mild dish detergent. When using commercial wood polishes and sprays, always buff well to avoid a dull, sticky film.

Treat Wear and Tear
Even with the best care, wood furniture can sustain injuries. For minor nicks and scratches, use a polish or touch-up stick to hide abrasions and restore the wood’s inherent beauty. If damage is too extensive to be treated this way and you aren’t quite ready to give up your treasured fixture, you may need to resort to something more drastic. Re-staining or painting a piece of damaged furniture could breathe new life into it and give it several more good years.

Re-Oil Dry Wood
If furniture has been stored and becomes overly dry, you may need to re-oil it. Begin by cleaning it with Murphy’s Oil Soap or another appropriate cleaner, and then prepare the surface with #0000 steel wool, always working with the grain. Liberally apply your furniture oil, and let it soak into the wood for about 15 minutes. If you’re going to apply a protective coating, let your furniture set for at least 24 hours before proceeding.

Keep Wood Smelling Fresh
Sometimes older pieces will develop an unpleasant odor, especially if they’ve been stored. You can sprinkle the surface with baking soda to freshen it up and place a pan of charcoal inside drawers to absorb smells that emanate from inside. You can even leave the piece outside in a shaded area on a warm, dry day to give relief from a malodorous stench.

Taking proper care of your wood furniture isn’t hard or even that time-consuming, and the reward for your effort will be a home filled with beautiful pieces that look and feel as good as the day you got them.

Source: Megan Wild/RISMedia’s Housecall

10 Tips to Stretch Your Food Budget

 

Food is a major expense in any household, and for those on a tight budget, a few dollars saved can make a big difference. ChooseMyPlate.gov offers 10 tips based on planning and smart shopping to help you feed your family while keeping more money in your wallet.

1. Plan, plan, plan. Before you head to the grocery store, plan your meals for the week. Include meals like stews, casseroles or stir fries, which “stretch” expensive items into more portions. Check to see what foods you already have, and make a list for what you need to buy.

2. Get the best price. Check the local newspaper, online and at the store for sales and coupons. Ask about a loyalty card for extra savings at stores where you shop. Look for specials or sales on meat and seafood, which are often the most expensive items on your shopping list.

3. Compare and contrast. Locate the “unit price” listed on the store shelf directly below the product. Use the price to compare different brands and different sizes of the same brand to determine which is more economical.

4. Buy in bulk. It’s almost always cheaper to buy foods in bulk. Smart choices are family packs of chicken, steak, or fish and larger bags of potatoes and frozen vegetables. Before you shop, remember to check if you have enough freezer space to store the extra food.

5. Buy in season. Buying fruits and vegetables in season can lower the cost and add to the freshness. If you aren’t going to use them all right away, buy some that still need time to ripen.

6. Ditch the convenience costs. Convenience foods like frozen dinners, pre-cut vegetables, and instant rice, oatmeal, or grits will cost you more than if you were to make them from scratch. Take the time to prepare your own, and you’ll save.

7. Choose cheaper. Certain foods are typically low-cost options all year round. Try beans for a less expensive protein food. For vegetables, buy carrots, greens or potatoes. As for fruits, apples and bananas are good choices.

8. Cook once to eat all week. Prepare a large batch of favorite recipes on your day off (double or triple the recipe). Freeze the portions in individual containers. Use them throughout the week, and you won’t have to spend money on take-out meals.

9. Get your creative juices flowing. Spice up your leftovers by using them in new ways. For example, try leftover chicken in a stir fry or over a garden salad, or use it to make chicken chili. Remember, throwing away edible food is throwing away your money.

10. Be savvy at restaurants. Eating out can be expensive. Save money by getting the early bird special, going out for lunch instead of dinner or looking for “2 for 1” deals. Stick to water instead of ordering other beverages, which add to the bill.

Top 5 Storage Hacks for Your Garage

 

If you’re looking to organize and store items in your garage, then you need to have a plan. The last thing you want is to not have enough room to park your own vehicle in your garage.

Here are the five most popular storage hacks that’ll allow you to make the most out of your garage:

Garage Shelving
One of the easiest ways to store a bunch of items in your garage is by installing shelving. The good news is that shelving systems are easy to assemble. A good shelving organization tip is to put the heaviest items on the bottom. This will lower the center of gravity of the shelf. Also, you’ll be able to easily access the heaviest items.

Storage Bins
If you want some flexibility, buy several plastic storage bins. You’ll be able to put large and small items in the bins, as well as store the containers in various ways. No installation required.

Ceiling Storage
If you want to dedicate most of your garage space for your vehicles, you may be pressed for space. However, you can actually store items above your vehicles with the use of ceiling storage racks. These racks are mounted from the ceiling and can hold a number of items. It’ll take some expertise to install the ceiling rack, but it will be well worth the time for this garage storage hack.

Pegboards
If you’re looking to store your bicycles or other heavy items, or if you want to organize your tools and lawn care equipment, you can use pegboards to attach the items to your garage wall. First, install the pegboard on the wall. From there, you can add hooks that’ll allow you to hang your items.

Wall-Mounted Cabinets
With wall-mounted storage cabinets, you’ll be able to secure items of all sizes. You’ll also be able to better organize your items while keeping your garage looking neat and clean. Wall-mounted storage cabinets may require professional installation; however, it will be well worth the investment.

By using the right garage storage hacks, you’ll be able to properly organize one of your home’s largest spaces. Consider what you need to store before planning your strategy. Most likely, combining two or more storage hacks could allow you to get the best use out of your garage.

Source: Kara Masterson/RISMedia’s Housecall

Healthy Ways to Manage Stress

 

We all have stress in our lives. Busy days at work, problems at home, traffic jams and money trouble are prime examples of stressful situations. However, chronic stress can lead to serious health issues, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and depression, so preventing and managing stress is essential to living happier and healthier.

Here are some tips from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help you deal with stress:

Prepare yourself. Prepare ahead of time for stressful events like a job interview or a hard conversation with a loved one. Stay positive, picture what the room will look like and what you’ll say, and have a backup plan.

Plan your time. Feeling in control of your situation could lower stress. Think ahead about how you’re going to use your time. Write a to-do list and figure out what’s most important–then do that thing first. Be realistic about how long each task will take.

Relax with deep breathing or meditation. These are two effective ways to relax your muscles and clear your mind.

Relax your muscles. Stress causes tension in your muscles. Try stretching or taking a hot shower to help you relax.

Get active. Regular physical activity can help prevent and manage stress. It can also help relax your muscles and improve your mood. Aim for 2.5 hours a week of physical activity. Try riding a bike, taking a walk or lifting weights. Be sure to exercise for at least 10 minutes at a time.

Eat healthy. Give your body plenty of energy by eating healthy, including vegetables, fruits and lean sources of protein.

Talk to friends and family. Tell your friends and family if you’re feeling stressed. They may be able to help.

Get professional help if you need it. Stress is a normal part of life. But if your stress doesn’t go away or keeps getting worse, you may need expert help. A mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or social worker, can help treat stress-related conditions. Lots of people need help dealing with stress–it’s nothing to be ashamed of.

Household Items You Should Sell and Not Throw Out

 

A cleaning binge or a simple walk through your house can turn up all kinds of items that you may want to toss in the garbage. Throwing them away, however, could be like throwing money away.

With a little effort, you could sell various household items online, at local consignment shops or during a garage sale, among other options. Below are some used items that probably take up extra space in your home, but could net you some cash:

Electronics
Old cellphones, computers, tablets and other electronic devices can have too short a lifespan and fill up a drawer or clutter a room fast.

Websites such as Amazon, Gazelle and Decluttr buy old electronics, possibly paying $100 or so to help you buy the next gadget you want. To get the best price, cellphones should be in working order with no major cracks or other damage and with only some light wear and tear.

Books
If you’re not attached to your books and keep too many around the house, it can be worthwhile to try to sell them at your local bookstore. You might not get much money for them, but finding them a new home will help declutter your house and give you some cash to buy a new book to read. Consider having your children bring their old books, too.

Some books can bring in some real money. Textbooks, first editions and volumes from popular authors can be sold on Amazon, Decluttr and other places online. To find the best price for your books, try BookScouter. It searches dozens of buyback vendors to find the best price for a specific book you want to sell.

Appliances
If you’re looking to upgrade your home appliances, try selling your old ones on Craigslist or eBay. Landlords in your area may be looking for affordable appliances that will be used in student housing, or new homeowners may be looking for a deal.

Toys
Craigslist and eBay are also good places to sell used toys, but a garage sale may be your best bet. No matter what route you choose, be sure to get your kids’ permission first.

Clothing and Accessories
Instead of giving away your old clothes and accessories to a thrift store, which is still a good idea if it’s a charity, you may be able to make some cash by selling them.

Popular accessories, such as designer handbags, that you no longer want can still be desirable to other potential buyers. For example, the website Bag Borrow or Steal verifies that handbags are authentic designer items (not knockoffs), and will either buy them outright from you or consign them.

The Best Smart Home Technology for Pet Owners

 

Smart home technology is improving life for everyone, even your furry little friends. These days, there are tons of products available for pets who live in the lap of luxury, from smart feeders that automatically dispense food to treadmills designed for felines.

For those who like to spoil their dogs and cats, here’s the latest and greatest pet technology to bring into your home!

iFetch Too

For some dogs, a quick game of fetch is never enough. If this sounds familiar, then the iFetch might just be for you. This automatic ball launcher will have your pooch running around all day long with up to 300 throws per battery charge. Various distance settings that range from 10 to 40 feet allow you to set it up inside or out, so your dog can chase tennis balls to its heart’s content even when you’re not home. And for the ones who love digging holes, the iDig is also worth checking out!

Little Cat

Is your feline enjoying the cat nip a bit too much? For cats that could afford to lose a few pounds, the Little Cat from PetDing is the perfect solution. Essentially a large hamster wheel with a built-in LED light that cats love to chase after, it’s like an exercise program designed to get your little fur ball off the couch. Available in four different colors, it’ll look great in any house or apartment.

Petcube Bites

There are lots of pet cameras available for those who suffer a little separation anxiety during the day, but the Petcube Bites does more than just let you check in on them. The two-way speaker allows your cat or dog to hear the comfort of your voice when you’re away and you can even reward good behavior with the built-in treat dispenser.

Wagz Smart Door

Nobody wants an unwelcomed visitor coming through the doggy door. Now you can keep out any surprises with the Wagz Smart Door that uses a unique ID tag in the collar that only opens the door for your pets. You can even control when they’re allowed to go outside and use the live HD video camera to monitor any motion around the door.

Bring Peace to Your Bedroom

 

While world peace is a great idea, if you want to add a touch of calm to your life, begin with your bedroom. Your room isn’t merely the place to rest your head, it’s where you wake, and the vibe of your room can set the tone for the rest of your day. Below are five tips for bringing a peaceful vibe to your bedroom.

Choose calming colors. While red or orange may be your favorite fiery hue, when picking shades for your room, choose soothing, calm colors like light blue or a gentle gray.

Pick minimal patterns. Keep the fun, funky patterns for the living room throw pillows. Busy patterns can make us feel crowded and overwhelmed, so minimize zany patterns in your sleep space.

Clear the room of clutter. Create a sanctuary in your bedroom by keeping it clear of clutter, from laundry to oversized furniture. Spend a few minutes before bed each day storing any items you pulled out, close the closet doors, put the books back on the shelves and dive into bed with a clear head and space.

Bring in nature. Houseplants can boost mood and pump more oxygen into the room. Choose a few easy-to-care for plants, like a fern or a ficus, and place them where you can see them when you wake.

Select the right lighting. While blackout shades can be great for blocking disruptive light, it can also negatively impact your sleep patterns by keeping your body from waking at its natural time. Find a set of blackout curtains that filter light but allow you to wake in the morning naturally.

The Current Residential Real Estate Market for Home Buyers and Home Sellers 2020

Although we are amid the Covid 19 pandemic and quickly approaching the holiday season, the residential real estate market has dramatically picked up over the last 30 days.  We are currently still in a sellers market, as inventory isn't quite where it needs to be to accommodate the number of motivated buyers right now.  However, that appears to be changing in the near future with more and more sellers looking to list their properties.  Don't miss out on the opportunity to take advantage of the current sellers market and list before you have a lot more competition!  On the other hand and on the buyers side, interest rates are at an all time low, making home purchases much more affordable.  With inventory on the rise, buyers will continue to have more and more options.  It is both a good time to buy and sell residential real estate.  See below market updates for both Ventura and Los Angeles counties released by the California Association of Realtors for September 2020.  In addition, data pulled from the MLS shows 320 new listings were entered into the MLS just within the Conejo Valley and 106 in Simi Valley in the last 30 days.

What is currently being predicted through 2023 is residential real estate is likely to fare far better than the commercial real estate sector.  According to a survey of 325 directors and investors, 39% expect commercial real estate assets will fall between 5% to 10% in value in 2020, whilst nearly 31% expect a fall of 10% or more as a result of the pandemic.  However, 90% of the respondents expected asset prices to go back to pre-pandemic levels by 2021, according to the survey carried out by Duff & Phelps.  The financial consultancy firm said the respondents expected the worst long-term damage in commercial real estate to be among retail and hotels, accounting for 37% and 36% responses respectively.  Most investors expect retail property values to decrease between 10-40% over the next 12 months.  Data from the survey showed that 36% of respondents believed the industrial and logistics sector will emerge the strongest from the current crisis. Investors also saw prospects for residential (29%) and proptech (19%), which they also believed would gain strength after the crisis. Source: https://realassets.ipe.com/news/commercial-real-estate-investors-predict-price-recovery-in-2021/10048407.article

  

I take all necessary measures to keep your business and/or family safe during the Covid 19 pandemic. Including virtual showings, safety precautions during in person showings, remote digital closings, etc.   Please feel free to contact me for additional information.  We have a referral based business, so please think of me when buying or selling and feel free to share my contact information with anyone you know who is thinking about buying or selling.  Levesque Realty has provided residential and commercial real estate services within Los Angeles and Ventura counties for over 20 years. 

5 Financial Benefits for Military Members

 

U.S. military members have access to some great benefits that can go a long way toward making their financial lives (and those of their family) a lot better.

Here are some of the best financial benefits that service members have available to them:

Inexpensive Retirement Plan
The Thrift Savings Plan has a low annual expense ratio of 0.038 percent of assets, making it a far better retirement plan for military members than 401(k) retirement plans, which have annual fees and expenses of 1-2 percent.

In 2019, military members can contribute up to $19,000 to the plan—and up to $56,000 if receiving tax-free income while deployed.

Free College
The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers the full cost of in-state tuition and fees at public colleges for up to four academic years, or up to $23,671 per year for private or foreign schools. A housing stipend and money for books and tutoring are also included.

Longtime service members can transfer their benefits to a spouse or children.

Mortgage Help
The Veterans Administration (VA) offers home loans to military members with no down payment required. Veterans and surviving spouses are also eligible for these VA home loans, along with other housing programs from the VA.

The VA guarantees a portion of the loan, which is provided by private lenders. A potential downside of not making a down payment on a home, or even a small down payment, is that you could owe more on the home loan if housing prices drop and you have to move and sell your home.

Housing Allowance
For as long as you’re in the military, you’re given a tax-free housing allowance. The monthly subsidy covers all or part of your monthly rent or mortgage. The amount is determined by your rank, location and if you have dependents.

A military pay stub lists a “Basic Allowance for Housing,” along with other benefits.

Guaranteed Return on Savings
It’s unlikely that you’ll ever find a savings program as good as the Savings Deposit Program run by the Department of Defense (DOD).

Deployed members in designated combat zones can deposit up to $10,000 each time they’re deployed and earn 10 percent annual interest, compounded quarterly. The program lasts up to three months after returning from combat.

Since military pay during deployment is tax-free income, members receive more take-home pay, and can put that extra money into the DOD’s savings program.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional or legal advice.

Moving Thanksgiving Outdoors

 

All things considered, unless you live in a freezing climate, this might be the year to think about moving Thanksgiving dinner outdoors. Even if your guests need to bundle up a bit, outdoor enthusiasts suggest that a little pre-planning can make it easier than you think, and it may turn out to be the most fun Thanksgiving your family has enjoyed for years.

• Timing counts – Plan your event between the hours of 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm, when you can take advantage of maximum daylight and warmth.
• Choose the site – A patio, front porch or covered deck is ideal, but any backyard space not far from the kitchen will work. Depending upon the weather and the number of guests, consider renting a tent. If you are concerned about harvest table seating, use two or three tables for six.
• Set smart tables – Use your best linens and china as usual, anchoring each with a vase of fall flowers or Thanksgiving centerpieces. If wind is an issue,or even if it isn’t, anchor each napkin to the plate with an apple or a miniature pumpkin.
• Plan the meal – There are two good choices this year: Do all the work yourself or assign guests to bring dishes, as you typically would, or pre-order dinner from a favorite restaurant, ensuring a lovely meal for all with far less work while doing your part to help support struggling local business. 
• Plan the fun – Backyard family football, badminton or horseshoes is always fun. Add new activities for kids into the mix, such as a scavenger hunt, pumpkin painting or another Thanksgiving craft.
• Have a back-up plan – The best plans can be upset by rain, so be prepared to move the party indoors if necessary. Dinner tables can still be distanced if you wish, becoming game tables for kids and adults after the meal is over.