If you are suffering from anemia, getting life insurance can be tricky.
When you apply, your rating is based on the severity of your anemia, its cause, and how well you are treating your condition.
Depending on your situation, anemia might not affect your rating at all. To help get you prepared for your application, here are the life insurance guidelines for someone with anemia.
Life Insurance Underwriting for Anemia
The insurance company is going to ask you hundreds of questions. Some of them are going to revolve around your anemia:
When were you diagnosed?
What is the root cause of your anemia?
Have you been hospitalized because of your anemia?
Have you had any symptoms like headache, fatigue, or dizziness in the past 6 months?
What were the results of your last blood lab tests?
Are you currently taking iron supplements or any other medications for your condition?
This is your chance to show the company you are controlling your anemia. If your application seems incomplete, your chances of getting a bad rating or rejection go way up.
The insurance company is also going to ask you dozens of questions about your overall health. Your anemia is only one of the factors that they are going to look at when deciding your insurance rates.
There is an insurance company that will give you affordable policy. Don’t let anemia keep you from getting the coverage that your family deserves.
Life Insurance Quotes with Anemia
Your insurance rating primarily depends on the severity of the anemia and your treatments. Applicants that have their iron levels under control and aren’t anemic because of a more serious illness might be rated the same as someone without anemia. If an applicant’s anemia is more serious, it can become a bigger problem.
Insurers are also going to consider your overall health and your medical history when you apply. While each insurance company uses slightly different standards for anemia, there are some common rating classes:
Preferred Plus: Possible in very rare cases. It should have been two years since your last episode of symptoms and your blood levels should be normal. In addition, you should not have any other problems. Still, it’s difficult to qualify with anemia because it still counts as a health risk.
Preferred: A bit more likely, but still rare, for applicants that don’t have any issues with their anemia and are in great health. Once again, your blood level needs to be under control and you should have any other health issues.
Standard: Most likely best rating for someone with anemia. Applicant should not have had any incidents in the past year, should have normal blood levels, and the anemia shouldn’t be caused by sickle cell anemia or aplastic anemia disease. Applicant should also be in decent health. Table Rating (substandard): Most likely rating for someone with anemia. Applicants that have anemia because of sickle cell anemia or Crohn’s disease most likely won’t get anything better than a rated policy.
Declines: Applicants that have anemia because of aplastic anemia disease. Also, applicants that aren’t properly treating their anemia and have abnormal iron levels are likely to be declined.
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Anemia Insurance Case Studies
Each applicant is different. There are no two identical applications. To give you an idea of what you could be facing, here are some clients we’ve worked with before:
Case Study: Female, 38 y/o, had anemia at 35 as a result of a pregnancy, took iron supplements and the condition is now under control
This applicant was diagnosed with anemia after being pregnant when she was 35. She followed her doctor’s orders diligently and regularly took her iron supplements. As a result, her anemia was under control and didn’t lead to any problems. She applied for life insurance at 38, she only received a rated policy. We thought that insurers were paying too much attention to her past medical record of having anemia and weren’t considering her current good health.
We suggest she go to her doctor and get a document explaining her health and the improvements. She sent this to the insurance company and she got a preferred plan.
Case Study #2: Male, 58 y/o, diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia at 55, applied for life insurance right away and was rejected.
When this applicant was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia at 55, he was in a rush to get life insurance. When he applied though, his application was rejected. This was because of a couple mistakes. First, the client applied too soon after his diagnosis; it would have been better to wait a couple years. Second, he hadn’t given the iron supplements enough time to take effect. At this point, we recommended the client take another blood test. At this point, he received a rated life insurance policy.
Purchasing life insurance with anemia can be difficult, but it’s definitely possible for most applicants. We’ll be able to match you up with companies that understand this condition and help you with your application.
Life Insurance with Anemia
Now that you have all the information you need, you are prepared to get a quote for life insurance with anemia.
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If there’s one thing in life to always bank on, it’s to expect the unexpected. While we like to think we have everything figured out, it’s hard to predict when certain events will occur. Whether it’s an accidental fender bender in stop-and-go traffic, a crushed roof from a fallen tree branch, or an unanticipated medical emergency, having the right insurance coverage might save you time, money, and headaches.
One insurance coverage policy that may be worth investing in is renters insurance. Pew Research Center found that more people are renting today than at any point in the past 50 years. This study also found that certain demographic groups, such as those with lesser education, young adults, and non-whites, are more likely to rent than other groups. With more renters on the market than ever before, it’s important to consider the various financial protections renters can take advantage of.
If you’re living in a rental property and want to ensure you, your belongings, property, and guests are covered from any unforeseen circumstances, continue reading our guide to renters insurance coverage below.
What is Renters Insurance?
Renters insurance is a form of risk management that protects you and your property, and generally provides legal defense fees and medical costs for anyone who may become injured on your rented property if you are found at fault. Renters insurance is like most insurance policies, such as home and auto insurance, where you buy a policy and make recurring payments. Then, if anything were to happen, such as a burglary, you can make a claim, and your renters insurance will provide a certain level of compensation for the stolen items.
What Does Renters Insurance Cover?
If you’re wondering, “What does renters insurance cover?” the answer is, quite a lot, depending on the coverage you select. From vandalism to explosions and everything in between, renters insurance coverage may give you peace of mind knowing your valuable items are protected.
Personal Property
You can never predict when disaster strikes. Your roof caves in after a blistering snowstorm, freezing you out of your home. You run down the street to get some groceries and return to find your apartment was ransacked. Or, a clueless driver plows right through your living room. It’s either happened to you or someone you know and while sympathy can ease some of the pain, usually money is the only way to replace valuable items like furniture and electronics. That’s where renters insurance coverage comes in handy.
Here’s a list of some events where a renters insurance policy might have tenants covered:
Theft: If someone breaks into your house and steals your personal property, such as your laptop, cash, or other items, your renters insurance may cover you once you pay your deductible. Renters insurance doesn’t only cover items in your home either. If you go on vacation and get pickpocketed, or someone breaks into your car while shopping at the mall, you can file an insurance claim for those losses as well.
Vandalism: If someone breaks into your home and decides to destroy your property with mischievous intent, you can file a claim to get reimbursed. So, if the neighborhood kids decide to drive by and smash your mailbox with a baseball bat, your renters insurance policy will have your back.
Fire, windstorms, lightning, hail, or volcanic eruptions: Basic renters insurance may cover damage inflicted by fire, windstorms, lightning, hail, and even volcanic eruptions. If a flash storm rolls through during the summer and your home gets struck by lightning, many of the damages might be covered.
Smoke: While fires are covered under renters insurance, so is smoke. Sometimes, smoke can damage your personal property without a fire even being present. For example, if you live in an apartment complex and a neighboring unit catches on fire and smoke seeps into your apartment, your renters insurance coverage can help with smoke-related damages.
An aircraft or vehicle that’s not your own: Unfortunately, if you happen to drive your car into your home, renters insurance usually won’t cover the expenses. However, if another driver or an airplane crashes into your apartment, renters insurance might come to the rescue and pay for damages that are covered within your policy.
Snow, ice, or sleet collapse: While it’s a good practice to shovel snow off of your roof, sometimes it’s extremely difficult or impossible. If heavy snow, sleet, or ice causes your roof to collapse, your renters insurance policy can help cover replacement costs for damaged items.
A short-circuit: A short-circuit is when an electrical device malfunctions or fails. A short-circuit can cause a variety of problems, such as a damaged TV or appliance. And, if your power goes out and all of your food in your fridge and freezer spoils, you can file a claim to cover the cost of your perished food.
Water or steam overflow: You never know when a pipe will burst, and when it does, it can lead to all sorts of problems. Rest assured knowing your renters insurance policy may cover damages that result from water or steam overflow.
Frozen plumbing: Sometimes, the sheer cold is strong enough to freeze the water in plumbing and HVAC systems. Then, if you try and run hot water, the frozen water can expand and may lead to a cracked piped, pouring water throughout your home. Some renters insurance plans may cover these damages. However, if you were away when the frozen pipe burst and you didn’t take necessary precautions to keep your home properly heated, you may be at fault and left with no coverage.
Water or steam-heating appliances: Additionally, any water damage from water or steam-heating appliances, such as your dishwasher or laundry machine, may be covered by your renters insurance policy.
Falling objects: Have you ever wondered what would happen if an asteroid came crashing through your home? If so, have peace of mind knowing your renters insurance coverage may take care of the destruction from falling objects such as fallen trees and space debris.
Riots: If a riot breaks out around your apartment and someone damages your personal belongings, your renters insurance coverage can help take care of the costs.
Explosions: Whether a transformer blew up or someone set off an explosive device that causes damage to the home you rent, your renters insurance policy may help pay for any of your items that were destroyed.
Other scenarios: Renters insurance may cover other scenarios as well. For example, Trulia explains how renters insurance can cover things such as waterbed leaks and even dog bites. Additionally, renters insurance can even cover bank or credit card forgery if a thief snatches your financial information from your home and decides to go on a spending spree.
Living expenses
The answer to the question, “What does renter’s insurance cover?” is not complete just yet. Let’s say, for example, a tree came crashing down in the winter, leaving a gaping hole in your home or apartment. You most likely won’t be able to live in your house, or you might freeze. If your place of residence becomes uninhabitable, renters insurance can help cover your living expenses while your rented home or apartment is under construction. These expenses include things such as hotel costs, groceries, and other incidental expenditures.
What Does Personal Liability Renters Insurance Cover?
A final area of expenses rental insurance covers is personal liability. Renters liability insurance may cover you if you are at fault for injuries that occur on your property. For example, if someone gets hurt on your property and decides to file a lawsuit, renters liability insurance might help pay for your legal fees, as well as medical expenses of the person who got injured.
Renters liability insurance may also cover the expenses of another person’s stolen or damaged property that happens in the home or apartment you rent. So, if you decided to borrow your brother’s laptop, and it was destroyed after a fire, a renters liability insurance might take care of the cost.
Ultimately, coverage can vary between insurance providers, so do your research and consider all of your options before selecting a renters insurance policy.
What Does Renters Insurance Not Cover?
While it may seem like renters insurance covers everything, there are a few things that are often not covered.
Personal belongings damaged from natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods: If you live in a high-risk area for natural disasters, such as Tornado Alley, along a river, or in a hurricane-prone area, you may need flood, earthquake, or other types of specialized insurance policies.
Theft or damage to your vehicle: While the valuables inside your car may be covered by renters insurance, any damage to your car, or theft of your car, is not typically covered. To insure your car, you might consider purchasing auto insurance.
Your roommate’s belongings: Unfortunately, your roommate won’t be able to freeload off your renters insurance plan. Instead, if they want their valuables covered, they will need their own renters insurance policy.
Damage caused by rodents and pests: Any damage from rodents such as bed bugs, mice, cockroaches, and other pests are often not covered by renters insurance.
High-value items like jewelry, antiques, and family heirlooms: If you have expensive items, such as antiques, high-end jewelry, or other valuable pieces, your renters insurance may not cover the cost if they’re stolen or damaged. Instead, you might consider purchasing additional coverage or buying a standalone policy.
Damages incurred from nuclear war or terrorism: This may not be your first thought, but many renters insurance policies exclude damages from nuclear war or terrorism on their plan. If you’re worried your home or apartment may be subject to destruction from war or terrorism, you might consider purchasing extra coverage.
How Much Does Renters Insurance Cost?
According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost of renters insurance premiums in 2016 came in at about $185 a year. Broken down monthly, the average renters insurance policy costs about $15.50 per month. When searching for renters insurance, it’s also important to know how your credit score comes into play.
The Insurance Information Institute explains how your credit score may impact your insurance score to determine if you have a history of making claims. A history of filing more claims may lead them to charge you more money. At Turbo, you can take advantage of our financial health tool and obtain a free credit report to determine where you stand so you can purchase a renters insurance policy that fits in your budget.
Key Takeaways on Renters Insurance
If you’re asking yourself, “What does renters insurance cover?” hopefully you can use this guide as a resource. Renters insurance coverage is a great way to protect some of your personal items and belongings, as well as the belongings and health of others visiting your property, so consider if this kind of policy is right for you.
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A Great Credit Score, but She Can’t Get a Mortgage
Despite solid financial track records, many older Americans have a hard time refinancing because of their mortality risks and lower retirement incomes.
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Molly Stuart, who lives in Sacramento County, Calif., hoped to refinance the home she had bought 18 years earlier, but her application was denied.Credit…Andri Tambunan for The New York Times
Published April 8, 2023Updated April 11, 2023
In late 2019, Molly Stuart’s contract ended at the community college where she worked. “Normally, I’d just get a new job, but then Covid happened,” she said. So she collected unemployment for awhile, then retired.
In 2021, hoping to give herself some financial breathing room, she tried to refinance the three-bedroom ranch house she had bought 18 years earlier on an acre of land in Sacramento County, Calif.
“I’m an extremely good risk,” said Ms. Stuart, 60, a lawyer. She had a 30-year work history and a credit rating above 800. Her remaining mortgage was $102,000, but she estimated that the house was worth about $500,000. She had already paid off the mortgage on another house in Sacramento, which she rented out.
But her mortgage company denied her application. “I didn’t qualify for a refinance because I didn’t have enough income,” she said. “It was extremely frustrating.”
higher credit ratings than any other age cohort, yet recent studies have shown that they’re substantially more likely to be rejected for most kinds of mortgages. That raises barriers for older Americans hoping to renovate or retrofit their homes, or to extract home equity as a buffer against medical expenses, widowhood or other crises.
Much of older adults’ wealth is tied up in real estate. Among homeowners aged 65 to 74, home equity represented about 47 percent of their net worth in 2019, according to federal data; among those over 75, it was 55 percent. Among Black homeowners over 62, it accounted for almost three-quarters of their net worth.
But a house is not a financial asset, noted Lori Trawinski, director of finance and employment at the AARP Public Policy Institute in Washington. “It only turns into a financial asset if you take out a loan or you sell it.”
Getting that loan may be harder than owners expect.
analysis of more than 9 million mortgage applications collected through the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act from 2018 to 2020. He found that rejection rates rose steadily with age, particularly accelerating for applicants over 70.
paid slightly higher interest rates when they took out either refinances or new purchase mortgages.
The study’s methodology controlled for credit scores and property types, as well as economic and demographic factors, said Alicia Munnell, director of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, which republished Dr. Amornsiripanitch’s work. “He’s looking at the well-heeled and the less well-heeled. Age is still a factor.”
The federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act has long prohibited discrimination by age, as well as race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, and receipt of public assistance income. Lenders are allowed to inquire about an applicant’s age, but that information may only be used legally under limited circumstances.
Dr. Amornsiripanitch determined, for example, that lenders attributed more than half of their rejections of older applicants to “insufficient collateral.” He speculated that lenders didn’t find those homes to be worth as much as applicants had thought, possibly because older owners occupy older homes, and might have deferred maintenance.
more apt to have debt, and more of it, than previous generations. That affects their debt-to-income (D.T.I.) ratios, a metric that lenders pay keen attention to.
“High D.T.I. is a key denial reason,” said Linna Zhu, a research economist at the Urban Institute in Washington whose research has also documented higher rejection rates at older ages.
A study she published in 2021 found mortgage denial rates of 18.7 percent for people over 75, 15.4 percent for those 65 to 74 and 12 percent for people under 65.
Decorating your home can be an exciting process, but it can also be overwhelming at the same time, especially when you have a limited budget. Fortunately, there are affordable decor pieces that can help elevate every space. From cosy textiles and statement wall art to classic tableware and various other decorative items, these pieces can transform your home without breaking the bank.
Here are our top picks for budget-friendly decor pieces that could help you create a home that ‘feels like home’!
Table of Contents
6 Affordable home decor pieces that will instantly elevate every space
1. Tapestry Wall Hanging, Folkulture, INR 999
Treat your home walls as canvas of creativity and personal styling by adding these boho-ish tapestries that are going to be a sight to behold, especially for your photographer guests. These are hand-stitched, and perfectly fit the bill if you identify with the cottagecore aesthetic!
Known for their exquisite artisanal offerings, statement pieces from Jaypore are a no-brainer for any art and craft enthusiast. The quest for classic tableware stops at this handcrafted mango wood platter that’s brimming with all things nature and its bounties.
Buy it here
3. Coffee To My Croissant Candle – Coffee Scented, Rad Living, INR 599
A sweet coffee aroma with a hint of vanilla facet for a gourmand composition with a dash of chocolate. Extract the goodness from the aura for a sound and peaceful state of mind. These are hand-poured in tin containers with a lid, making them convenient, travel-friendly, and just the right gift.
If you love a contemporary yet classic design, this cool-cum-gentle cushion perfectly fits the bill. The chicness of this versatile addition to your home lies in its lively play of ocean hues and stylish gingham and embroidery running over it.
What sets these mats apart is that they can effortlessly uplift any space without you having to empty your pockets. They’re appealing yet durable, easy to roll and would easily accompany you to your outdoor sojourns, too!
If you’re a dinnerware enthusiast who dejects run-of-the-mill designs, check out these multi-purpose bucket-style bowls. They make for a perfect accompaniment to everything from flowers, stationary to cutlery. Now what’s not to love about these pastel-hued, quirky and cute collections?!
Buy it here
Lead image credit: Dharma Productions, PVR Pictures
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When a lender looks at your home loan application, one of the main things they look at is your borrowing power.
Of course, borrowing power changes from applicant to applicant and is based on numerous factors such as salary, debt, living expenses, and credit history (just to name a few).
However, it’s easy to forget that having children (or dependents) affects your borrowing power, too. Let’s consider this here.
How do children affect your home application?
While having children is a gift and fulfilling for many, lenders can see it as an increase in living expenses. Raising kids costs time and money, and lenders consider this extra cost when evaluating your financial capacity to make mortgage repayments.
According to the Australian Institute of Family Studies, “the estimated weekly costs for low-paid families of raising two children – a 6-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy – is $340 per week or $170 a week per child.”
Which is about $17,680 for two children or $8,840 for one child each year.
That extra expense means you have less disposable income that could go towards paying back your home loan.
Let’s look at an example: Patrick and Jeremy have a combined income of $120,000 with $30,000 in annual living expenses. They also have no children. Based on Mozo’s borrowing calculator, that puts their average borrowing capacity at about $710,000.
However, having two kids (or two dependents) would increase their annual expenses to about $47,000, bringing their borrowing power down to $528,408. Almost a $200,000 decrease!
Typically to avoid this, many Aussie couples think ahead and purchase property in preparation for starting a family. But it is easy to forget that if they want to refinance their loan in the future, which is common, lenders will take into consideration the new dependents.
Refinancing after having children
Currently, 75% of Australian homeowners are on the brink of becoming home loan hostages, so they can’t easily refinance their home loans to escape higher interest rates.
And as mentioned earlier, having children is a significant expense that lenders consider when evaluating refinancing applications.
However, having kids doesn’t mean you’ll never be able to refinance. Financial situations change over time and it’s perfectly normal. But if you want to switch lenders and you have a child, you’ll have to change your game plan to increase your borrowing power.
How to increase my borrowing power if I have kids?
When looking at home loan applications, lenders want to know that you have enough disposable income to pay your loan on time without any issues. This includes being able to make your repayments if interest rates increase.
Below are four tips on how to increase your borrowing power.
Have a larger deposit. Saving for a larger deposit means having more equity and needing a smaller home loan.
Pay off any debts. Consider paying off any credit card or personal loan debts. This might help increase your borrowing power.
Negotiate a pay rise. One of the easiest ways to increase your borrowing power is by having a pay rise. More money coming into your bank account means more disposable income (which lenders love).
Lower living expenses. Audit your living expenses and identify areas where you could cut back—got any memberships you don’t use? Streaming services you never watch? Maybe cut back on your takeaway orders. Small changes here and there could genuinely enhance your savings in the long term.
Don’t feel discouraged from becoming a property owner if you’re thinking of having kids. But it’s something to keep in mind and plan properly for.
Compare home loans through our mortgage hub. Are you just starting your property journey? Check out our home-buying guides.
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WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. The comparison rate displayed is for a secured loan with monthly principal and interest repayments for $150,000 over 25 years.
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Initial monthly repayment figures are estimates only, based on the advertised rate. You can change the loan amount and term in the input boxes at the top of this table. Rates, fees and charges and therefore the total cost of the loan may vary depending on your loan amount, loan term, and credit history. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes.
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Mozo provides general product information. We don’t consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren’t recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.
While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don’t cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.
Bed Bath & Beyond may be shuttering, but the vision it sold of a manicured, functional and up-to-date home, lives on.
Over its five-decade history, the retailer was a big contributor to the societal meme that a considerable portion of our paycheck ought to be devoted to the continuous improvement of our living spaces. Its shelves and catalogs were a testament to the notion that every household item — from toilet roll holder to mattress cover — was worthy of rigorous comparison shopping.
These days, much of that decor- and gadget-centric shopaholism has shifted to more competitive online offerings. But the core consumer appetites the retailer helped stoke — for things like smart garbage bins, movement-adapting mattresses, and bean-to-cup automated espresso machines — remains vigorous as always.
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Startup founders continue to take these wants quite seriously. And while home decor and gadgetry has never been a mainstay of the venture capital business, there are always a few companies in the space that score some funding.
Household names
Arguably, modern life would look rather different had some of these ventures never managed to scale. iRobot, maker of the Roomba robot vacuums that are the scourge of dust mites and house pets, sucked up $30 million in venture funding in the late 1990s and early 2000s. And Keurig, a startup inspired by its founder’s distaste of old, stale office coffee, owed some of its early development to seed funding secured in the 1990s.
In recent years, startup investors have been shying away from big rounds for consumer products and electronics companies. They’ve also sustained some major losses on prior deals. This includes the oft-mocked Juicero, a startup that raised $118 million but went bust following reports that its $400 juicing machines performed no better than a person mushing its fruit and veggie packets by hand.
Today, startups should probably expect more rigorous diligence. That may be one reason we aren’t seeing a lot of deals getting done.
Even so, an analysis of Crunchbase data unearthed a decent cohort of recently funded startups with housewares and kitchen gadgetry. Below, we put together a sample list of 10 funded in the past couple years that have collectively raised over $377 million.
If I were to pick a rising star on this list, it would be Mill, a startup selling a $33 monthly subscription for a “food-shrinking, de-stinking” kitchen bin and food waste pick-up service. The San Bruno, California-based company has reportedly raised more than $100 million from backers including Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Energy Impact Partners.
Not just a cup of Joe
Coffee drinkers also have a few emerging names to follow. Spinn, which has raised over $44 million to date, employs “centrifugal brewing” and precision grinding in its $800 machines, which churn out custom-crafted espressos, filter coffees and cold brews. Terra Kaffe, meanwhile, has secured $15 million for its automatic bean-to-cup espresso maker.
Others are eyeing the bedroom. This included Brooklinen, maker of upscale bedding and towels, and Bryte, a developer of smart mattresses aimed at providing more restorative sleep.
Then there’s Aura Frames, maker of smart picture frames whose product could go in any room. The New York startup has raised over $40 million in equity funding to date.
The nice thing about the business of marketing a functional and beautiful home is that the minute you sell something, it opens up fresh demand for something else. Every gadget needs a place to put it, creating a potential customer for new, smart storage. Buying a new mattress invariably means also buying sheets and pillows too.
Seems we’re never really done spending. Or shopping. For home goods retailers, that’s just the way they like it.
Photo by Fabio Bracht on Unsplash
Stay up to date with recent funding rounds, acquisitions, and more with the
Crunchbase Daily.
It’s that time of year for festive celebrations! One of the benefits of apartment living is extra spaces specially designed for entertaining. Typically, your apartment community’s clubhouse offer far more room than your apartment ever could, allowing you to expand your guest list and have plenty of space for a fun time. You simply have to discover if you’re talking about clubhouse rentals or reservations . . . and then you’re ready to plan your holiday party.
Ask if there’s a fee or deposit required
Clubhouses or lounge area can sometimes be booked for free by tenants – first come, first served – but clubhouse rentals are also common. You might, however, secure yours for only a deposit. These range in price, but as long as no damage in incurred, your deposit will be fully refunded, and you’ll enjoy the benefits of this amenity without any extra costs. Some places charge a clean-up fee. Be sure to ask in advance so you don’t blow your party budget.
These large lounge areas – community centers, really, are often private, in that they have doors, so that only invited guests drop in. Most provide dining tables, seating areas, kitchen facilities and even a bar area, perfect for spreading out a buffet, arranging a potluck, or setting up a drinks station.
Related: How to Throw a Space-Saving Dinner Party on a Budget and Creating a holiday budget
Ask about decor
You’ll want to find out about décor options. During the holidays, many places have their own decorations in place–that’s great because it can save you some money! If not find out the restrictions. Some may not allow items to be hung from walls, or certain items to be brought into the common areas. It’s also wise to inquire about music/entertainment as well as liquor laws. The last thing you want to do it jeopardize your relationship with your association/building and neighbors.
Related: Things to keep on hand for parties
Reserve in advance
Space is limited, and other people are probably having parties around the same time. Unless you can change the time of the party on a whim, you’re going to want to check well in advance to make sure you can get the time you’re looking for.
Be watchful of the time while you’re there
Similar to the above, there are probably other people going to use the clubhouse in close proximity to you. So, even if you’re having a really good time and never want the party to end, you want to keep an eye on the clock so you can make sure to wrap the party up on time.
Read more: 6 Ways to Prevent Guests From Overstaying Their Welcome
Clean up afterwards
You’re using a public space, so don’t make a mess of it. Parties can be messy, but that just means it’s your responsibility to make sure that it’s cleaned up afterwards, ready for the next person to use it. Not only is it the right thing to do, but if you put down a deposit and left a mess, you’re probably not getting that deposit back.
Find out what’s allowed
There are a lot of possible restrictions in clubhouses, so make sure that you know what they are ahead of time. Some things you might want to get cleared up beforehand:
How many people can be in the clubhouse? There’s always a limit, if only just from the fire department.
Is it considered a public or private space? Can you kick out someone who crashes the party? Does this apply just to the clubhouse, or connected areas, such as a pool?
Can you adjust the thermostat? This might not seem like an issue, but when you have 20 people in a room at 73 degrees, it can get uncomfortable.
Is smoking allowed? Alcohol?
It may seem like a hassle but renting out the clubhouse is often a better place to host a party than your apartment. You get a space made for groups, no one will be snooping around your apartment while you’re not paying attention, and you can move on to planning the holiday party you really want to throw.
Want to know more? Check out 8 Steps to Throw a Holiday Part That’s Full of Cheer or Throw a Great Party in a Small Apartment.
We asked for some of your most horrific moving stories and you came through. We’ve picked our favorite for this round, but we’d love to hear more. If you have a moving horror story that you’d like to share, get social with us on Facebook or Twitter. You might just make our next round!
Moving Truck vs. Apartment Building
“I was living in an economy apartment near a small college. I rented a huge moving truck so that I could get all my stuff in one trip. I backed up a bit too much and hit the building. The entire apartment was moved nearly a foot off the foundation. I didn’t bother asking for my security deposit back.”
The Dead Parrot
“My friend was working as a mover in Boston. He and the occupant went into the bedroom and started moving the bed. When they lifted up the box spring to bring it to the truck, there was a dead parrot underneath the bed. No one said anything about it. When he got back it had mysteriously disappeared.”
A Friendly Chat with the Landlord
“Our landlord came over for a chat about what turned out to be bogus complaints from the neighbors. It got a little heated, and my roommate’s psycho dog went for him and bit his hand. The landlord left muttering about having the dog put down. I came home from work the next day to find all of our belongings on the sidewalk and the house had been bulldozed to the ground.”
Related: Can a landlord not renew a lease?
The Cat Litter Disaster
“When I moved out of my last apartment, the very last thing I moved were my two cats and their litterbox. I manage to get the cats into the car, but when I go to grab the litterbox, a freak heavy rainstorm erupted out of nowhere. By the time I got the litterbox to the car, things had devolved into what I lovingly call “litter soup.” It was BEYOND nasty. I decided on the spot to just wheel around to the dumpster and heave the whole thing in.
So instead of driving to my new apartment, I made a detour to the store to buy a new litterbox. The store I was going to was at the bottom of a big hill. I went zooming down the hill, realizing too late that the bottom of the hill was COMPLETELY flooded because of this freak storm. And my car dies completely. My cats are SCREECHING, I’m covered in the remains of the litter soup, and I’m now outside the car, knee-deep in water, trying to push my car into the parking lot. By the time I got to the store, I was a drowned smelly rat.
I walked in the door, and the cashier said, “Welcome to Kmart… can I…?” and I just said, “LITTER. NOW.” I got myself, the cats and the new litterbox to my new place, but my clothes were so wet they were entirely unwearable, the whole car smelled like cat pee, and my cats had meowed so hard they were both hoarse and sounded like chain-smoking Brenda Vaccaro cats. It was pretty rough.”
The Dreaded Black Ice
“Wanting to get an early start, we hit the road on a November morning before dawn on I-80 through Nebraska. We were in a rental truck with our care on a tow hitch. After about a half an hour, we hit a patch of black ice and did a complete 180 degree spin before coming to a stop in the center median. Luckily, we stayed upright the entire time. No real damage and nobody was hurt, but it was pretty freaking scary.”
More Cat Fun
“We were starting our move to Arkansas and the movers kicked up a lot of dust and cat dander in our old apartment. This led to me having an asthma attack, which I didn’t realize was really bad until the next morning when I had to take a breath between words. I ended up in the ER the day we were to drive halfway there. Monitors, oxygen, the whole thing.”
Related: Best cat names of 2017
The Jackknife Disaster
“I was moving apartments from Seattle to Detroit, towing one car behind my hired moving truck. We got turned around on the rutted dirt roads outside of Cheyenne and jack-knifed the entire combination outside a storage place next to our hotel, at 2am. We found the local sheriff climbing over the rig the next morning.”
See Also: The ultimate moving checklist
We want to hear your moving horror stories! Get social with us and we’ll feature our favorites in Volume 2!
First item, I can see to some extent, but to say to take it down to 1 or 2 keys, I hardly think it would be necessary to take it down that far. I have had both of my vehicles for over 80k miles and not a single bit of problems. Even with prior vehicles, I never had such ignition problems. I have several keys on there that deals with both vehicles, different things for the house, 2 different work sites, and what not. As such, I do have more keys than most other people. However, I am not about to separate such keys as I’m the type that don’t want to be wasting time with having to go here for one set only to go there for another set.
While this would be important to do with older cars that still has sheet metals for their exterior walls, many current vehicles out there on the roads are made of either fiberglass or plastic, thus you don’t have that rust issue so much anymore. The main area where you will still have that rust issue are under the vehicle and anywhere near the wheels. Paint and Wax obviously aren’t going to protect those areas cause of the dirt, salt, and grime all being kicked up by the tires and what not. Yes, the frame of the vehicle is still made of steel, but that’s more or less protected by the plastic and such.
Item 3, maybe, but it’s more clutter and annoying at times than anything else. If it’s like anything else, it won’t get used properly by the kids, thus the seats will still get exposed.
Items 4 and 6, those are must do items regardless. If you don’t do those items along with proper oil changes at the proper times, then you are asking for major problems down the road. Now I haven’t had to check the levels often, but I still ckeck them no matter what when ever the oil is changed, which is only done by me. As for the tires, I do check them much more often as they are needed to be checked much more often.
Item 5, I don’t by into such things. It’s just like the various other claims used by places like the Valvoline Instant Oil changes as they claim putting in certain stuff will increase your mileage rates and charge you a higher amount for such items when they do your oil chances, but then the FTC has reported none of any such solvents really do what they claim they do. They don’t even help one bit, so such items are really a big waste of your money.
As such, the only items that you really have to do to help the vehicle last longer are items 4 and 6 along with other proper maintenance stuff as needed.
Item 1: I question
Items 2 & 3 aren’t needed as far as having the car last longer, but if you going to sell the vehicle, you would still want to do this.
Items 4 & 6 are needed among other things
Item 5, I won’t by into such gizmo solvent claims.
But then for me, I own vehicles until they won’t run anymore, which I did lose two vehicles due to their life having been essentially all used up at over 200,000 miles each, and I lost one vehicle due to it getting totaled in an accident that involved a total of 4 different semis, which my wife and kids were all very fortunate the one semi hit the back right corner of the mini van as it did else they could have all been killed or severely hurt in that wreck.
By Peter Anderson6 Comments – The content of this website often contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you buy through those links (at no cost to you!). Learn more about how we make money. Last edited June 23, 2016.
Coffee prices have risen an astounding 90% in the last year and coffee roasters and shops, everyone from Folgers to Starbucks, are passing along the higher prices to customers.
On top of that, virtually all coffee available for purchase in the grocery store is past the peak of freshness (7-14 days from roasting).
Roasting your own coffee is a great alternative to paying too much for stale coffee. It is easy, can be done with a minimal investment ($0-$30), and costs half (or even less) of what buying roasted gourmet specialty coffee does.
It’s also a fascinating and enjoyable hobby that can broaden one’s horizons and palette. Ultimately, home roasting is the most economical way to drink the freshest, most flavor rich coffee. There are just a few things that you need to get and need to know in order to get started.
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What You Need to Get to Start Roasting Coffee at Home
First you’ll need something to roast in. Hot air popcorn poppers make great coffee roasters as long as they have certain design features (a flat metal bottom and vents around the side that blow the coffee in a circular motion). You may have one already that will work ($0) or you can find a preferred model at your local thrift store ($3-5.00). If not, we have a selection of preferred model popcorn poppers for sale ($9-38.00) and there are also some popcorn poppers available new that work well for roasting ($20.00-30.00).
Once you have a roaster (popper), all you need is green coffee. Single origin specialty coffee is important for making the home roasting experience worthwhile. There is a lot to learn about green coffee and its origins (and how region, climate, altitude and processing methods affect the properties, and therefore flavors, of the coffee), however, it is not necessary to know this before roasting. Roasting and tasting coffee is the best way to learn about the different flavors and characteristics of coffee from various regions of the world.
Tips For Productive Green Coffee Buying
First buy a small quantity (12 oz.) of 2 or 3 different coffees.
Then, roast each of them to a medium level roast (City+ to Full City).
If you prefer the acidity, aroma and body (the overall flavor experience) of one of the coffees, buy 4 pounds of it and experiment roasting to different levels. This will give you a better understanding of how the flavors of the coffee develop in the roast.
What You Need to Know to Start Roasting Coffee
While home roasting is easy, you do need to have some basic knowledge before starting to roast. You should have a general grasp of the physical and chemical changes that are happening to the coffee as it is roasted, and should know at what point in the roasting process the coffee has reached the various roast levels that people prefer (from light to dark, City to Full City + and beyond).
The roast can be understood as a series of moments or phases which begin slowly and then progress faster as the roast continues.
First, the green coffee which is hard, dense and contains moisture must dry out.
Secondly, once dry, the coffee turns yellow and then brown as the sugars in the coffee caramelize.
Third we come to “first crack” when the cell structure of the coffee begins to break down and the coffee emits a loud cracking noise. When first crack comes to an end, the coffee has reached its lightest roast that is drinkable, a City Roast.
From this point the roast progressively darkens (from City to City +, City ++, Full City and Full City + roast). The roast has reached a Full City level when the coffee is on the verge of second crack. When second crack begins, a quick, loud snapping sound comes from the coffee (it makes a different sound than first crack so listen carefully) and the amount of smoke coming from the roast dramatically increases (you will want to roast in a well ventilated area or outside for this reason). It is important to pay attention to the different smells that the coffee emits throughout the roast. A few seconds into second crack is about the darkest level that we recommend roasting to, and at this point the coffee has reached a Full City +.
French and Italian roasts are darker than this, but the coffee is getting very dark very fast at this point. We recommend starting with lighter roasts and then experimenting with darker roasts.
When the desired roast level is reached, it is important to stop the roast and cool the coffee quickly, as it will continue to roast even after being removed from the popper. A metal colander works great for this: quickly shake the coffee around in a circular motion until it cools. When it reaches room temperature it can stored in canning jars or other airtight containers. It will de-gas overnight (it lets off Co2 as a result of the roast) and so the lid should be loosely attached. The next morning the coffee will be ready to grind and brew.
The coffee will have the richest flavor when it is freshly ground just before brewing and is brewed with one of the preferred methods. The richness and complexity of the coffee’s flavor will amaze you and change how you think about coffee.
One final tip for economical roasting: Once your friends and family experience freshly roasted coffee, they will want more. Roast for a few friends and charge them a fair price (still well below the high prices of roasted specialty coffee) and you will cover your own costs, and who knows, maybe even make a small profit!
This is an article from Tom (my brother) over at ThePeoplesRoast.com. He runs a coffee micro-roasting resource where you can find roasters, green coffee, how-to videos and a blog that walks you through the process of roasting step by step. He also sells freshly roasted coffee (at good prices) for those less inclined to roast their own. I get coffee from him on a regular basis – and it’s great! Like him on facebook and follow them on twitter to stay informed about new posts and coffee offerings.
For a limited time you can use the following coupon code for $2 off any order: BMM$2