Have you ever wondered what happens when you move into a house undergoing renovation before the work is complete? Well, it’s certainly not the glossy beautifulness that I typically share around here. While I usually keep daily life’s messes off the interwebs, I thought it might be refreshing to give you a glimpse of what my reality is looking like these days. That’s why I’m excited to partner with Clorox over the coming months. They coined the phrase “life’s bleachable moments” after all. Our never-ending remodel certainly presents an endless supply those less polished real life moments. I’m thinking it’d be fun to give you some peeks behind the curtain of what I’m doing to (finally!) complete our dream home. I hope you don’t mind the less than perfect – I find a life well lived often happens in the messy!
Case in point – my laundry room. As you can see in the pic above, the room is currently in a functional, but not terribly inspirational state. Our LG Twinwash washer and dryer are holding court (thank gawd because we survived six weeks without laundry but just barely) but very little else is going on in the space thus far. It’s a vast improvement from our washer/dryer residing in the kitchen of our loft, but there’s currently no storage, no organization and certainly no design happening in this room. And you know with an 18 month old boy I’m in this room a LOT so I’m ready for it to make me smile.
So I’m challenging myself to get this room in tiptop shape ASAP. Since there are so many things about finishing this house that remain out of my control (subcontractors’ schedules, backordered fabric and oh yeah, a budget!), I want to organize and beautify whatever I can. It gives me a sense of calm. For the laundry room, I’ll feel so much better once I have a proper place to store all my cleaning supplies. I want to decant my detergents, put all my bleach capsules in a pretty container (apparently you can get virtually anything out of a kid’s white shirt with the right stain remover!) and use some aesthetically pleasing storage for my stain treaters. And I need a cute hamper! Perhaps a dry rack and somewhere to put my ironing board? And maybe an eye catching design element or two. I’m planning a lovely upgrade for this room that will take it from utility to utterly beautiful. Here are some of my current inspiration images.
For some reason I associate laundry with all things white (maybe because it’s one of my favorite colors) so that’s why I selected a white washer and dryer. I’m definitely going to stick with a light and bright theme for the space. To improve the organizational side of things, my current plans include adding a waterfall shelf to enclose the washer and dryer and provide counter space, mounting a hang bar for air dying delicate things and adding a bit of wall storage for chic bins and baskets. Just because laundry rooms are utilitarian spaces, that doesn’t mean you should skimp on fun design elements. I’m planning on adding more personality to the room with a throw rug, a killer piece of art and an eye catching accent wall (but I’m keeping the accent wall inspiration under wraps until I can reveal the final result!). My laundry room is a fairly small space, especially when considered in the context of our entire renovation, but sometimes baby steps towards progress actually feel like a giant leap.
Here’s my moodboard for my dream laundry room:
SHOP THE POST: ceiling mount light fixture / laundry basket / storage basket / art print / steamer / sweater stone / felt dryer balls /LG Twinwash washer and dryer / clorox control bleach packs / clorox 2 stain treaters / clorox 2 laundry booster
I’ll be partnering with Clorox to give you peeks into my progress along the way!
inspiration images: image 1 / image 2 /
This post is in partnership with Clorox. All thoughts and 0pinions are 100% my own. Thanks for supporting collaborations that I’m excited about and that have kept apartment 34’s doors open
The landlord-renter relationship can be tricky: you’re both taking a risk when a lease is signed. And that document makes each person dependent on the other.
Landlords are taking a financial risk. If a tenant causes damage, stops paying rent, or any apartment-related issues become litigious, they could be out thousands of dollars or more.
The renter depends greatly on the landlord as well. Uncomfortable, dangerous, dirty, or otherwise unlivable spaces can cause a lot of stress. Not to mention, landlord disputes and evictions can put renters out of a place to live altogether.
For these reasons, it’s very important – even crucial – to foster a good relationship with your landlord as soon as possible. While a bad situation can be traumatic for both parties involved, the opposite is also true. A positive relationship with your landlord will keep both of you sane, safe, and happy.
Check out these eight guidelines to help you get along with your landlord or manager. (And remember, your manager is just a regular person, just like you).
1. Be Honest
It’s almost impossible to get along with your landlord after starting off on the wrong foot, so start making an effort to build a good relationship on day one.
Little fibs, like hiding Fido or having an extra roommate, can create instant distrust and tension if (and when) your landlord finds out. From the day you sign the lease and step into the apartment, make sure you’re being completely honest.
2. Pay Your Rent
There is nothing worse for the landlord-renter relationship than a tenant who doesn’t pay rent on time or in full. Even if they give you a 2-5 day cushion before the rent is officially deemed late, it’s better to get it in early or on time.
Rent issues don’t just affect the landlord or your relationship, though. If you pay late often enough, your credit will take a hit, and your landlord will likely mention it if called for a reference in the future. If you don’t think you’ll be able to pay rent on time, get in touch with your landlord right away, and make sure not to let it happen again.
3. Say Hi
If your landlord is actually the guy who lives down the hall, make sure you say hello when passing in the lobby or laundry room.
Being friendly and likable will build trust, and it will also make your landlord more likely to give you some leeway or quick maintenance help if problems arise down the road.
4. Mind Your Lease
Respect the rules they’ve taken the time to lay out in the lease. Remember: The lease is there to protect both of you, and violating it will could create both a personal and legal issue.
If you signed on the dotted line and promised you wouldn’t paint the walls, bring home an adopted puppy, or sublet the place without permission, then don’t do so without asking first. Make sure you treat their property with care and respect.
5. Ask For Help
Make sure to notify your landlord as soon as possible with any maintenance requests or damage reports. The only way they’ll know about issues is if you tell them, and they’ll likely want to take care of anything as quickly as possible.
They want the apartment to be in good working order for you, but maintenance issues that go unfixed for a long time could actually become more expensive for them down the line.
6. Mind Your Attitude
After asking for help, remember to be patient if they don’t respond right away. Many landlords have other full-time jobs or properties that keep them busy, so as long as your landlord is normally dependable, it’s unlikely they’re ignoring or disregarding your needs.
Keep second and third notices polite, even if the tone becomes more adamant. If your landlord has shown a pattern of ignoring requests, it could legally be termed neglect, depending on the repairs needed.
7. Get Everything in Writing (or e-mail)
Since both of you are taking risks and depending on each other, try to put every apartment-related conversation and request into writing.
Correspond by email rather than on the phone or in person. This will protect both of you and hopefully make the relationship a little less stressful overall.
8. Know Your Rights
While there are many things you can do to promote a positive relationship with your landlord, you aren’t the only person responsible if something goes wrong. All 50 states and many cities have legislation in place to protect tenants from discrimination, negligence and other issues that could potentially come up when renting an apartment.
Know your rights when you enter into a contract with your landlord so that you’re fully prepared just in case.
Some of the greatest music albums of all time have been recorded in Los Angeles, the ‘Creative Capital of the World.’ Many of them at the legendary Cherokee Studios in West Hollywood, which opened in 1972, operated by the Robb brothers.
This is where David Bowie met Frank Sinatra and recorded his Station to Station album; it’s where Michael Jackson recorded Off the Wall, and where Warren Zevon recorded his final album. It’s basically holy ground for music lovers.
Though the studio was closed in 2007 and subsequently converted to residential ‘work/live condos,’ its legacy cannot be erased, and the spirit of the 70s can still be felt throughout the property. Now, you have a chance to tread in the footsteps of the iconic artists who recorded music at the studio.
Own a piece of music history for (just) $999,000
A two-story condo came to market at 751 N. Fairfax Avenue via The Agency‘s Nick Collins, and it’s asking $999,000. That’s a pretty good price considering you’d be owning — and living in — a piece of music history.
The 1,287-square-foot condo is part of Lofts @ Cherokee Studios, a LEED Platinum Work/Live residential complex that sits on the site of the former recording studio.
Developed by REthink Development with the help of studio founder Bruce Robb, the project includes 12 condos that can also be used as intimate recording studios, carrying on the legacy of the site.
Unit #1 at 751 N. Fairfax Ave. features 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and stunning views of Los Angeles from the rooftop deck.
Nestled behind a security gated entryway in West Hollywood, the stylish, turn-key condo features an expansive living space with 16-foot ceilings, a state-of-the-art kitchen, a cozy dining space looking onto a private balcony, and a light-filled master bedroom complete with a master bathroom.
The upper floor includes space for an office or sitting area, in-unit laundry, and also a guest bedroom. Additionally, the condo comes complete with 2 parking spaces and electric car charging stations.
For those who want to make the best of the property’s history, the condo also serves as the perfect setting for recording music.
Bruce Robb and his company A&R Studio Design + Construction worked with the developers to ensure that residents have the best acoustics and equipment available, and all the living spaces are pre-wired for 5.1 surround sound.
If you’re interested in seeing it live, The Agency is hosting two open-house events at the former studio, on Tuesday, July 9th from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and on Sunday, July 14th, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
The magical history of Cherokee Studios
The Robb brothers set up the original Cherokee Studios in the early 70s at a ranch in Chatsworth. After MGM vacated its studios on Fairfax Avenue, the brothers moved in, and surprisingly ‘inherited’ some of the artists who had recorded with MGM, including Frank Sinatra.
The private studio quickly gained recognition; according to Bruce Robb, David Bowie showed up one day, played a chord on the piano, and concluded, ‘Cherokee..this will do nicely.’ He ended up recording his highly acclaimed Station to Station album there in 1975.
Other notable albums recorded at Cherokee Studios include Mötley Crüe’s Theatre of Pain and Shout at the Devil, Frank Sinatra’s Sinatra Christmas Album, and Warren Zevon’s final album The Wind. Rod Stewart, Ringo Starr, Henry Rollins, Barbra Streisand, Aerosmith, Diana Ross are among the other notable names to have recorded music here.
Check out the video below to get a glimpse into the magical history of 751 N. Fairfax Avenue:
Cherokee Studios is currently back in the recording business in a new Los Angeles location at 5241 Melrose Avenue.
Keep reading:
Hitmaker Nile Rodgers Wants $5.25M for His Waterfront House in Westport, CTSon of Beatles Legend George Harrison Lists Stylish Venice Beach Home at $3.99 Million This $12.9M Malibu Beach Home was once Frank Sinatra’s “Happiest Place on Earth” Take a Tour of Lenny Kravitz’s House, a Massive 1,000-acre Farm Compound in Brazil
Last week I discussed how I’m surviving living in our unfinished renovation: trying to find places to organize amidst the chaos. Well, one of my best opportunities to do that was with my pantry. First off, I’m still in shock that I actually have a pantry. Nothing has ever made me feel more adult – not having the baby, buying the house…nope. It’s this massive space to organize canned goods that makes me feel like I just might finally have my sh** together. Jury’s still out.
But back to the design! So I have this large room – think of a giant shoe box, but with 10ft ceilings. I wanted the space to be highly functional and serve multiple purposes. Not only is it my primary storage for all food-stuffs, but I also wanted to create additional prep and work space for things like our coffee maker and kitchen tools we use less often like my KitchenAid mixer and my juicer (sadly. I keep swearing I’m going to start using it again!). To say I’m happy with the final result is a major understatement. But I won’t pretend to take all the credit for the final result. I called in the big guns for this job including California Closets to design the storage and Neat Method to help me get myself organized.
But let’s go back to the very beginning. Here’s where there room started out. This goes a whole year+ back to when our walls were still open.
You can kind of make out the frame of the pantry in the middle of the pic.
To make sure this space both worked perfectly and looked amazing I worked with designer Paige Gordon at the Bay Area California Closets to help devise the ultimate storage solution. It was not the easiest of tasks given the relatively narrow space, crazy ceiling height and the massive (original) window at the end of the room. Sadly, all that gorgeous molding actually limited some of our design options as we only had four inches of space along one wall.
To accommodate that, Paige designed a double stack of floor to ceiling shelving on the left hand wall as you enter the doorway. It left a little space between the shelves and the window (how we used it, I’ll get to in a minute). I also wanted to include wine storage because it’s real purdy (and it is how all mothers of toddlers survive). The x-shaped wine boxes Paige designed offer the maximum amount of space and look like a wine cellar. It’s also up off the floor to stay away from tiny fingers. Love.
On the right-hand wall we added closed storage for some of the less pretty things, a section of baskets for things like fruit, potatoes and linens as well counter space that runs wall to wall. Happy dance! A bit of open shelving at a lower height is perfect for things like art & crafts supplies for my kiddo. All the shelving heights are adjustable to accommodate changing storage needs. With this design, the room is fully utilized and maximized. All of the California Closets cabinetry is in white finish with a slight faux wood grain. Like I said about our laundry room, when I think of utilitarian spaces I think white and bright and I’m so happy with the result. But let’s get back to the fun part – the after!
I also wanted to put in open shelving as it’s my favorite thing ever. I turned to a carpenter to create shelves for the space above the California Closet cabinetry. I wanted to use natural wood to warm up the room and match some open shelving that will also go in the kitchen. I’m so thrilled with the result.
When it came to getting my organization game together as it pertains to everything that was actually going into this room, I turned to Neat Method. They are an amazing service staffed with professional organizers that will come to your house, inventory everything you already have, help you figure what else you should have and then devise a plan about how to store it not only effectively (aka easily accessible, easy to see, easy to keep track of what you need), but also to make your organization beautiful. Added bonus: they don’t just tell you how to to it. If you need, they’ll actually do it for you. Hello crazed, overworked, overbooked mom savior from heaven! I mean, just look at my shelves.
This is proof positive that everything looks better decanted. Packaging will just make your eyes cross. I love the uniformity and zen quality of everything being in the same type of container. We may have gone a bit glass jar crazy, but I love it. And each jar is labeled. I went with white written directly on the jar for a more subtle look. Cooking instruction for whatever is inside each jar is simply tucked inside at the back. (The label can be changed with a just a bit of rubbing alcohol). Baskets on the upper shelves contain more random things, cleaning supplies that need to stay out of a toddler’s reach and the stuff I use really infrequently. All organized and labeled of course.
The great thing about a pantry like this, as Lisa Ruff my Neat Method guru explained to me, is that everything is visible. When things are hidden you forget about them and don’t use them. This leads to things going bad and a lot of waste. Now I know what is at my fingertips at all times. All my food stuffs are organized into sections. Nuts, grains, pastas, baking, snacks, canned fruits or veggies. It’s made grocery shopping so much more efficient because now I know exactly what I need and I can avoid the annoyance of being in the middle of a recipe and not having a necessary ingredient.
Now I also have space for paper goods and my ever-growing collection of pitchers and vases. It is so amazing to finally have places for all that stuff to go!
One of my favorite moments in the room is right as you walk in the door. Just to your left I hung picture rail shelves to display my collection of cookbooks. It’s so fun to get to see the covers because that’s why you buy a cookbook half the time anyway, am I right? While I started with three shelves, my collection is so big I’m thinking I’m going to have to add a couple more above. Thank goodness for step ladders!
So there you have it. While the rest of my house looks like we moved in yesterday (not nearly 5 months ago), my pantry is currently my little happy place. I may just go and stand in there from time to time. No judgements.
Oh and if you are in need of some organization help, right now you can get a FREE consultation from the Neat Method. Just mention Apartment 34 when you contact them (which you can do right here).
For the rest of the updates about our remodel CLICK HERE or to read about the history of our historic San Francisco Victorian CLICK HERE
original photography for apartment 34 by michelle drewes
When the snow melts and bulbs are blooming, buyers are out in force. If you’ve heard that spring (and leading into summer) is a good time to sell, you can tell whoever told you that they’re right for the most part! In many areas, the warmer weather means that people are eager to get out of the house, move while the kids are out of school, and are ready to look at homes with beautifully manicured yards. While hotter climates might have a slight downturn in the market during the 100+ degree weather, other markets thrive. If you’re considering listing your home this spring, you can optimize your home for higher offers with these seven timely tips.
1. Embrace Every Blooming Thing
Crocuses, hyacinth, and tulips peeking through your soil? Great. Blooms can be one of your greatest spring selling assets. If you don’t currently have bulbs in your yard, hit the nursery and purchase sprouted bulbs or opt for plants like pansies and primrose that look great and can withstand an unpredictable spring. Add additional color and curb appeal with planters and pots. You can even plant blooming daffodils or tulips to beds that need a refresh.
Brighten up porches, decks or balconies with potted blooms.
2. Touch Up the Yard and Exterior
When the snow melts, it reveals all the blemishes and flaws that were covered all winter. Before you list, give your home’s exterior a good once-over. Note any dead grass, chipping or fading paint, and damaged sections of fence. Turn your observations into a to-do list and get to work. Rake the grass, clean out beds, fertilize, lay sod, and edge the lawn. Do you need to repair fences, railings, steps, or decks? What about adding paint and stain in those well-worn areas? Even if you don’t find much to fix, consider giving your home an instant facelift by rubbing mineral oil on a painted front door or adding new house numbers.
Paint your front door new leaf green or robins egg blue to make your home one to remember when it comes time to put in offers.
3. Deep Clean
It’s called spring cleaning for a reason. After months shut inside the house, everything can use a good, thorough scrubbing. Have carpets cleaned and wash the windows both inside and out. Clean out closets and attack junk drawers. Wipe down the walls, make tiles and counters gleam, and pay attention to smaller things like grout, which can take a room or wall from dull to sparkling with just a little elbow grease. Clean the oven, and organize and wipe down the laundry room. Sort through towels, sponges, and other cleaning tools and toss ones that are shabby or smelly. Have slipcovers, upholstery, and pillow covers cleaned.
Do your spring cleaning before you list; they might want to buy the furniture too!
4. Perform Pre-inspection Repairs
If you’re selling your house, then you know a buyer is going to want to have ahome inspection completed before they seal the deal. Why not perform a preemptive strike and do your own inspection first? Identify small things that you can update or repair before the buyer can point them out. Often small issues lead buyers to fear there are larger maintenance issues, so making simple repairs before you list is smart. Change out filters, fix that wobbly banister, and take care of small things like torn screens or loose shingles.
Free painted-shut windows, repair screens, and fix broken panes.
5. Box Up Winter
You can make your house and yard feel bigger by simply packing away winter toys, tools, and clothes. Put your winter wardrobe in storage to make closets feel larger. Box up mittens, gloves, hats, and boots. Trade out ice melt and shovels for watering cans and gardening tools. If possible, store winter items neatly in sealed boxes or containers in a shed or off-site storage facility. You don’t want to crowd the garage or yard with items you’ve packed up. Trade out heavy, wintry throws and pillows for brighter, lighter pieces that feel more like spring.
Don’t crowd the garage when you clean out the house; organize it or get a storage unit.
6. Brighten the View
After you’ve cleaned those windows, let the sun shine in. Wash window coverings and trade out dark, dingy drapes for sheers that give your home an airy feeling. Clean blinds and make sure to keep them open during showings. Consider removing valances, which tend to box windows in and create a more formal, stuffy feeling. Add brighter light bulbs to every room to add more light. Outside, add window boxes full of flowers or herbs to set off windows and provide a pleasing view from every angle.
Add sheer drapes inside heavier ones.
7. Bring Spring Inside
Don’t let buyers lose that bouncy, spring feeling once they cross the threshold of your front door. Continue the colors and scents of spring throughout your house. Open windows and let fresh air blow away the remnants of a closed-up winter. Add fresh flowers to mantles, side tables, and the dining room. Display fresh fruit in the kitchen. Use diffusers and candles to bring the crisp, inviting scents of spring inside. Trade out linens, towels, and accents for light, bright colors and clean patterns that make buyers want to cozy up and call your house home.
Fresh flowers will put a spring in buyers’ steps.
Spring is a time for new beginnings, and it can be the perfect time to sell your home, especially when you use Homie! With our low flat fee, you get a dedicated agent who can advise you on how to make your home appealing to buyers, from staging to pricing! Click here to learn more about listing your home with Homie.
When you think of everything in your life that needs to be cleaned regularly, your credit card is probably not near the top of the list. But the truth is, during the course of a day, your card can pass through many hands and see plenty of action in credit card readers and ATMs. These exchanges increase the odds of your card picking up dirt, debris, and germs.
Fortunately, there are many ways you can keep your credit card clean without worrying about damaging the plastic, chip, or magnetic strip. Even better, most cleaning methods take less than 30 seconds.
Let’s take a look at some different ways you can practice good credit card hygiene.
Why Clean Your Credit Card?
It’s common knowledge that most paper money and coins carry germs, but credit and debit cards aren’t any cleaner. In fact, microbes, bacteria, and viruses typically stay active longer on hard surfaces like plastic and metal, sometimes for days or even weeks.
If you touch your bacteria- or virus-laden card and then touch your mouth, eyes, or nose, you could be introducing unwanted germs into your body. Washing your hands after handling your card can prevent the spread of germs. So can washing your credit card.
Besides wiping away bacteria, microbes, and viruses, scrubbing your card can also remove dust, dirt particles, and grime. These elements can make your card’s surface feel greasy, gritty, and sticky, and they can accumulate on or around the raised credit card numbers or letters.
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Recommended: Cash vs Credit Card: Key Differences to Know
How to Clean Credit Cards
There is no one way to clean your credit cards. The method you use depends on personal choice and the cleaning materials you have on hand. If you’re worried about getting your card wet, rest assured plastic and metal credit cards are meant to be waterproof.
Whatever your cleaning method, there are a couple rules of thumb to keep in mind. The first is to be gentle. Too much elbow grease or force may cause the card to wear down prematurely and could wipe away the ink. The second rule is to dry the card completely before you put it back in your wallet or use it.
Here are some effective ways to clean your credit cards:
Soap and Water
You can wash your credit card as you would your hands — with good old soap and water. Simply suds up your card with hand or dish soap and warm water, and gently clean for 20 seconds before rinsing it off completely. Wipe dry with a paper towel, soft rag, or lint-free microfiber cloth.
Rubbing and Isopropyl Alcohol
Both types of alcohol can be used to clean your cards. Simply wet a cotton ball, tissue, paper towel, or soft cloth with the alcohol and wipe the card. To remove stubborn gunk trapped around the raised letters or digits of your card, try using a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
Antibacterial or Sanitizing Wipes
The same wipes you use to clean surfaces at home can also be used on your credit cards. These products work to rid your card of any bacteria and viruses hanging out on your credit or debit card.
Multi-surface household cleaner
An all-purpose cleaner will also do the trick of cleaning your card. It’s better to spray the solution onto a cotton ball, paper towel, or clean rag instead of directly onto your card. Vinegar, which also works as a household cleaner, is another option.
UV Light Sanitizer
These devices use ultraviolet light to kill any viruses and bacteria found on nonporous surfaces. Often used to kill germs on cell phones, many of these machines sanitize credit cards as well.
One caveat: If you have a credit card made of metal or a metal composite, you may need to follow a different cleaning regimen. Apple, for example, warns against applying certain products or methods when cleaning the titanium Apple Card. On the list are household or window cleaners, compressed air, ammonia, and abrasive cleaners. If you have a metal card and aren’t sure what material it’s made of, check with your credit card issuer before cleaning it.
How to Clean the Chip and Magnetic Strip on a Credit Card
There may be times when you insert a credit card into a chip reader or swipe it at the card reader machine, but can’t complete the transaction. This could be because your credit card’s chip or magnetic strip needs to be cleaned.
You might think getting the chip or strip wet would damage the card, but in reality, the chip reader and magnetic strip can be cleaned with the methods mentioned above. However, you don’t want to soak your card in any liquid — even soapy water — or scrub the chip or strip too hard. Doing so can damage it over time.
There are also ways to de-gunk a chip or strip that don’t involve cleaning products. For instance, after gently wiping off your card, you can use a rubber eraser to lift any remaining strip residue. Another option is to place a piece of clear tape over a dirty strip or chip and then peel it off.
5 Things to Avoid Doing When Cleaning a Credit Card
Not all cleaning methods are created equal. In fact, some could damage your card. Here are five to avoid.
1. Scrubbing with a rough sponge
You don’t need to apply too much pressure or scour your card with an abrasive sponge. Both could damage the card, especially the chip and magnetic strip.
2. Your washing machine
You might think throwing your card into the wash with your clothes is harmless. But the harsh chemicals found in most laundry detergents could do more harm than good. For one thing, they can cause the card’s protective coating to peel off.
3. Hand sanitizer
While hand sanitizer can work in a pinch, it isn’t the best product to use when cleaning off your card. The moisturizing ingredients in the gel or liquid can leave behind a residue.
4. Soaking in rubbing alcohol
While you can wipe down your card with rubbing alcohol, experts warn against submerging your card in it because it can be corrosive.
5. Using heat
Heat and hot water can kill off germs, but using very high temperatures to clean or sterilize your credit card can actually damage it. Using a blow dryer, a clothes dryer, or boiling water to blast off any germs can cause the card’s plastic to soften or warp.
Cleaning vs Disinfecting a Credit Card
Both cleaning and disinfecting your credit card are effective, but they aren’t synonymous, and one step should precede the other.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you should clean first and then disinfect. Why? Washing a surface before you do anything else removes impurities like dirt, whose presence may make it harder for the chemicals in sanitizers and disinfectants to reach and kill germs.
How Often Should Credit Cards Be Cleaned?
How often you should clean your card largely depends on how often you use it. Ideally, you should clean your credit cards after every use, though that can be difficult if you’re out and about and using your card at different places. Generally, aim to clean your card once a day if you use it regularly, or once a week if you don’t.
Recommended: 7 Tips to Help You Use Your Credit Cards Wisely
Other Credit Card Maintenance Tips
Your wallet can get pretty dirty, making it harder to keep your credit card clean. Try storing it in a plastic photo holder or a card protector sleeve. Your credit card company may have issued your card in one, or you can make your own by wrapping a credit card-sized piece of paper around the card and taping the ends together. Another option is to purchase a separate credit card holder.
You may also want to use contactless credit card payments, which allow you to avoid swiping or inserting your card into a reader. One way to do that is with a contactless credit card. These cards feature an icon that resembles the wi-fi symbol and let you “tap and pay” at a payment machine.
You may also decide to store your credit card in a mobile wallet, which is a virtual wallet that lives on your cell phone, smartwatch, or other mobile device.
Recommended: 11 Tips for Cleaning Up Your Finances
The Takeaway
Any time your credit card changes hands or is inserted into card readers and ATMs, it can pick up dirt and germs that can live on the surface for days or even weeks. Cleaning your credit cards regularly can help protect you from bacteria, viruses, and other germs. Using soap and water, rubbing alcohol, antibacterial wipes, or multi-surface household cleaners may all help you keep your card in tip top shape. Using a contactless credit card or mobile wallet are other ways to cut down on your card’s exposure to germs.
If you’re looking for a new credit card, consider a rewards card that makes your money work for you. With the SoFi Credit Card, you earn cash-back rewards on all eligible purchases. You can then use those rewards for travel or to invest, save, or pay down eligible SoFi debt. The SoFi Credit Card offers unlimited 2% cash back on all eligible purchases. There are no spending categories or reward caps to worry about.1
Take advantage of this offer by applying for a SoFi credit card today.
FAQ
Can credit cards survive being washed?
They can, as long as you use gentle methods and surface-friendly products. Things to avoid: using an abrasive sponge and scrubbing too hard; submerging your card in potentially corrosive liquids like rubbing alcohol; and running the card through the washing machine.
Why do people clean their credit cards?
Credit cards can accumulate dirt and germs whenever they change hands or are inserted into a card reader or ATM. Cleaning your credit cards gets rid of bacteria and viruses that can stay on your cards for a period of time. But it can also remove stubborn grime that can scrape or otherwise damage your chip or magnetic strip.
Can you clean a magnetic strip on a credit card?
You can clean a magnetic strip with soap and water, an antibacterial wipe, rubbing alcohol, a safe household cleaner, or a UV light sanitizer. You can even use a pencil eraser or a piece of clear tape to remove dirt from a magnetic strip.
Photo credit: iStock/Khosrork
1Members earn 2 rewards points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases. If you elect to redeem points for cash deposited into your SoFi Checking or Savings account, SoFi Money® account, or fractional shares in your SoFi Active Invest account, or as a payment to your SoFi Personal, Private Student, or Student Loan Refinance, your points will redeem at a rate of 1 cent per every point. If you elect to redeem points as a statement credit to your SoFi Credit Card account, your points will redeem at a rate of 0.5 cents per every point. For more details please visit SoFi.com/card/rewards. Brokerage and Active investing products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. SoFi Securities LLC is an affiliate of SoFi Bank, N.A. The SoFi Credit Card is issued by The Bank of Missouri (TBOM) (“Issuer”) pursuant to license by Mastercard® International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. SoFi cardholders earn 2% unlimited cash back rewards when redeemed to save, invest, or pay down eligible SoFi debt. Cardholders earn 1% cash back rewards when redeemed for a statement credit.1 Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances. Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners. SOCC0423010
One of the obvious perks of working from home is the opportunity to cut some expenses.
Almost one in three workers remains fully remote in early 2023, and no wonder. When you no longer have to commute every day, you save time and money. You can prep lunch everyday versus buying a pricey takeout salad, and you don’t have to buy (or clean) work clothes anymore. You’re likely to notice some savings quite quickly.
However, there are other costs that might ratchet up just because you’re home more — and that includes energy costs. The extra time you may be spending on your laptop, watching Netflix, or even boiling water for a ramen lunch could nudge your energy usage upward — and your monthly electric bill.
If you have those bills set on autopay, you may not have noticed an increase. Or maybe you noticed the expense creep up but didn’t know what you could do to manage it.
Fortunately, with some planning, you can probably minimize your energy bill. Here are some strategies that might help while you’re working from home:
In the Home Office
You may have put some thought into setting up your office in a way that works ergonomically and looks presentable on Zoom. But have you thought about making your workspace energy efficient?
Choosing Power-Saving Equipment
If there’s a choice, consider using a laptop instead of a desktop computer to do your work. According to Energy Saver, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) consumer resource, it takes much more power to run a desktop and its monitor than it does to run a laptop.
And with the laptop, there’s a battery for backup if the power fluctuates or there’s a brownout due to high electricity demand in your area.
Those who are new to working at home and purchasing their own office equipment may want to check out Energy Star-certified computers, monitors, and printers, which run more efficiently than standard equipment and use about half as much electricity.
💡 Quick Tip: Help your money earn more money! Opening a high-yield bank account online often gets you higher-than-average rates.
Unplugging at the End of the Day
Remote workers aren’t the only ones who can benefit from a break at the end of their day. The computers, phone chargers, and other pieces of office equipment they rely on may continue to draw power even when not in use.
For convenience, workers may want to consider attaching these “energy vampires” to a smart power strip, with just one easy-to-reach switch to flip when it’s time to call it quits.
Also: Not to be a Grinch, but come the holiday season, if you like to keep the holiday lights on all day to brighten your work area and deliver a holiday mood, you might rethink that. The cost of holiday lights can add up.
Recommended: Adjusting Your Budget for Working from Home
Letting Computers Take a Nap
Another way to save money on energy is to set a computer to sleep or hibernate if it’s going to sit idle for a while. This differs from using a screen saver, which actually may take extra energy to keep an animated display active on the screen.
When a computer enters sleep mode, the power is cut to any unneeded systems, and the memory receives just enough power to maintain data.
In hibernation mode, the computer saves open documents and running applications to the hard disk instead of to RAM, which means it uses zero power. It takes a little longer to start back up from hibernation, though, so sleep mode may be better for shorter breaks.
Recommended: Do You Qualify for Home-Office Tax Deductions?
Choosing the Right Light
Making the most of natural light in the layout of a home office can cut down on eye strain and energy use, so it can help to create a workspace by a window.
But if a desk lamp will be on for much of the day, using energy-efficient bulbs instead of traditional incandescent bulbs could decrease the amount of energy the light will use by as much as 80%.
Because LED light bulbs produce less heat, they also may help cut costs associated with home cooling. And LEDs, halogens, and compact fluorescent lamps typically last longer than traditional bulbs.
Elsewhere Around the House
Working from home typically means more time spent using appliances; opening and closing doors; and running the air conditioner, fans, or the heater.
Many power companies offer free home energy assessments with a custom report that shows a home’s past and current power use and offers tips on how to save energy in the future.
For those who prefer to DIY their audit, the Environmental Protection Agency provides the Home Energy Yardstick , which compares a household’s actual energy use (based on a year’s worth of utility bills) to that of similar households.
There are also companies that, for a fee, will come and inspect a home’s energy usage . They will also report on areas where the home and its residents could be more energy efficient (though it may require changing some old behaviors).
Making Chores More Efficient
If the local utility company offers “time of use” pricing plans — charging less for power consumed during off-peak hours — it might be another opportunity to save.
Taking advantage of lower pricing may require breaking some old habits — running the dishwasher in the morning, for example, or doing laundry in the late evening — but the reward might be a lower utility bill as well as a healthier planet.
Running full loads in the clothes washer, dryer, and dishwasher can be another way to save. Tempting as it may be to run a load just to get a favorite pair of jeans clean, you’re much better off waiting till you can fill the washer.
💡 Quick Tip: If you’re faced with debt and wondering which kind to pay off first, it can be smart to prioritize high-interest debt first. For many people, this means their credit card debt; rates have recently been climbing into the double-digit range, so try to eliminate that ASAP.
Adjusting the Thermostat
One of the easiest ways to be more energy efficient is to set the thermostat up or down a degree or two to keep a home’s heating or air conditioning from running constantly.
The DOE advises consumers to set the thermostat to 78 degrees — or as high as is comfortable — when home in the summer.
In the winter, the DOE recommends setting the temperature at 68 degrees when everyone is awake and turning it down when they’re asleep or not at home. (Using a smart thermostat that can be operated from a smartphone can make it easier to manage adjustments.)
Getting Creative When Cooking
If eating at home more often is giving the oven a workout (and heating up the house in the summer), consider using the microwave, slow-cooker, or toaster oven to save on electricity and keep things cooler.
So can using the charcoal or gas grill out on the deck, and that might lend a party atmosphere to your regular dinner.
💡 Quick Tip: When you feel the urge to buy something that isn’t in your budget, try the 30-day rule. Make a note of the item in your calendar for 30 days into the future. When the date rolls around, there’s a good chance the “gotta have it” feeling will have subsided.
Keeping the Fridge Filled
A well-stocked freezer operates more efficiently than one that’s sitting half-empty, so feel free to load it up (but look for ways to save money on groceries when doing so). And, of course, if you are buying a new fridge, look for an Energy Star one.
Showering Responsibly
According to the DOE, about 18% of the energy consumed in the average home is from heating water. That means long, hot showers, or even standing at the sink shaving with the water running, can drive up energy bills. So can using the hot water setting on the washing machine or rinsing dishes in hot running water.
One option is to turn down the temperature on the water heater. That will help cut your energy bill when you’re working at home without impacting your comfort much at all. Shortening those showers (which can also help you save on water bills) and changing other habits, regardless of whether you are working from your kitchen table or an office, also can help conserve energy and save money. Extra points awarded to those who air-dry their hair or use the same bath towel more than once.
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The Takeaway
Whether this is a temporary situation or working from home becomes a regular thing, you may find you’ll have to rethink your budget to accommodate the changes to your lifestyle. While typically your energy bill may go up when you are spending more time at home (at your laptop and perhaps peeking in the fridge), it’s possible, with a little effort, to manage your power costs.
Better banking is here with up to 4.20% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
SoFi members with direct deposit can earn up to 4.20% annual percentage yield (APY) interest on Savings account balances (including Vaults) and up to 1.20% APY on Checking account balances. There is no minimum direct deposit amount required to qualify for these rates. Members without direct deposit will earn 1.20% APY on all account balances in Checking and Savings (including Vaults). Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 4/25/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners. Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances. External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. SOBK0423061
Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further
Earlier this month I had a major #fangirl moment. It was a full #fangirl evening, in fact, when I teamed up with New York Times bestselling author and Girlboss founder Sophia Amoroso to share in a very special money event.
In partnership with Mint, Sophia and I hosted a panel of four trailblazing entrepreneurs to have an “impolite” conversation about money. The audience heard from Mackenzie Barth, founder of Spoon University (which recently got acquired by Scripps Networks), Lisa Price creator of Carol’s Daughter, a multi-million dollar beauty brand, fashion entrepreneur Nina Faulhaber and Wing Yau, acclaimed jewelry designer.
The only rule for the evening was to be brutally honest. So, we went deep. We talked about our financial hang-ups, our money mantras, how we spend and save, as well as our money wins and losses.
While there were many takeaways, as moderator, I picked up on a few common threads – impolite “rules” – that ran through many of the stories shared. Here are my 5 favorites.
The panelists, a row full of successful entrepreneurs who seem to have a great handle on life and work, admitted that money can sometimes make them feel scared or anxious. In some cases it’s because, as business owners, they don’t always earn a consistent paycheck. In other cases they may not know the best way to save or invest. From time to time, they have doubts, insecurities and fears.
The room was full of nodding heads.
We all can get a little (or a lot) emotional over money, right? The topic triggers all sorts of feels, depending on our upbringing and life experiences. And that’s ok. Emotions provide context for how and why we the make decisions we do. On the panel, some grew up wealthier, while others remember living paycheck to paycheck. Each experience left them with a unique set of money emotions.
Rather than keep them bottled up, these women embraced their feelings. They shared them and through that discovered they weren’t alone and received acceptance and support.
To help us jump over our emotional hurdles, we need to arm ourselves with facts.
The panelists talked about how they continuously seek knowledge and answers to guide their decision-making. They need to make informed choices around saving money, using credit, taking on loans and building financially sound businesses. If they don’t know something, they’ll ask experts and advisors to find out. There’s no sense in guessing.
#3 You’re More Money Savvy Than You Think.
The voices in our head may be telling us that we’re not good enough or smart enough with numbers to manage our money well. Ignore the noise and realize it’s not that difficult. You may face a learning curve when it comes to budgeting, investing and expense tracking, but sometimes the only thing getting in the way is a bad mindset.
Panelist Wing Yau, the founder of WWake, is an artist first and businesswoman second. Like fellow artists, she admitted that she wasn’t exactly hard-wired to know how to analyze a profit and loss statement or manage the financials of her business. Money was an overwhelming topic, at times. But Wing insisted on learning how to manage her company’s books through research and seeking help, as well as trial and error. The process not only left her more educated. It gave her the confidence to fully tackle her business.
You can’t possibly know it all. And you shouldn’t go it alone. Each panelist credited friends, advisors and partners in giving them the support and feedback they need to make smart money moves, as well as business decisions.
Having an accountability partner, someone to keep you motivated and on track, was also critical.
For example, Nina Faulhaber, co-founder of ADAY, an active wear startup, recalls meeting with Sophia Amoruso prior to launching her fashion business to ask a laundry list of questions. Nina was coming from the finance world but knew very little about the fashion industry. Sophia was more than helpful, providing feedback and connecting her with other key people in the clothing world to offer guidance and mentorship.
So now that they’ve established successful businesses, are friends and family coming out of the woodwork asking for money or help? In some cases, yes, the panelists admitted.
But if there is one money rule Lisa Price, founder of the uber successful beauty line Carol’s Daughter, lives by, it is to never lend money. “Only give what you can gift,” she said. In other words, never give money to anyone with the expectation that it will be returned. Instead, offer it as a gift to avoid resentment or disappointment, since, as we know, many personal loans can go awry.
Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further
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Financing your truck can ease the financial burden of getting on the road as an owner-operator. And the good news is that semi-truck financing can be easier to secure than other business loans if you’re a new business or have bad credit.
Unfortunately, getting a loan for your truck doesn’t erase all upfront costs. Expect to make a down payment, use your truck as collateral and pay fees for the loan, such as an origination fee.
Pros of semi-truck financing
Not only does financing your semi truck lower your upfront costs, but it also provides many other advantages to get your business off the ground. Let’s dig into all the benefits of getting a semi-truck loan.
Fast funding
Semi-truck financing is a straightforward type of loan. You can easily show the lender what you’re using the loan for and the contracts you have to provide income for payments. You’ll also use the truck as collateral, giving the lender a secure reason to approve the loan.
Semi-truck loans can get approved in as little as a few days. But the exact time to get funding depends on the lender, the type of loan and characteristics about your truck.
Tax benefits
You can deduct ordinary and necessary expenses for your semi truck come tax time if you’re a self-employed driver. You won’t be able to use the standard mileage deduction for business vehicles, though, so you’ll need to calculate your exact vehicle expenses.
Those can include:
Depreciation
Fuel and oil
Insurance
Leasing costs
Log books
Lumper fees
Maintenance and repairs
Registration
Tires
Tolls and parking fees
Truck washing
If you’re employed by a trucking company, your company will pay for these vehicle expenses. However, employees can still deduct travel expenses when away from home, such as lodging, meals and laundry costs.
To deduct travel expenses, you have to meet both requirements:
Be traveling away from home for a period that’s longer than a normal workday
Must stop and sleep to keep up with work demands
No matter what expenses you’re claiming, keep tidy receipts and records to back up what you claim on your taxes.
Tax benefits for financed semi trucks
When you finance a semi truck, you can deduct your annual interest payments on your taxes. You can make this deduction each year for the entire life of the loan.
The IRS also considers your financed vehicle a business asset, which means that you can claim depreciation even though you don’t fully own the truck.
What is Section 179 of the IRS Tax Code?
When you claim depreciation for commercial equipment, you typically depreciate part of the equipment’s value over its usable life. However, Section 179 allows you to deduct part or all of your equipment’s cost during the first year that you place it in service. You don’t have to take the full Section 179 deduction. If you don’t, you can depreciate the rest of your semi truck’s value on your taxes over the life of the truck.
This deduction encourages small businesses to invest in commercial equipment that will grow their business since they can write off the entire cost. Beginning in 2023, businesses can claim a maximum deduction of $1.16 million, according to the IRS. If the total value of your property goes over $2.89 million, you have to reduce the tax deduction by the excess amount.
For example, if you buy a fleet of trucks worth $3,050,000, you exceed the $2,890,000 limit by $60,000. Your total tax deduction for depreciation would be $1,160,000 – $60,000 = $1,100,000 (or $1.1 million).
So unless you buy a fleet of semi trucks, you can deduct the full cost of your owned or financed truck on your taxes.
Bankrate tip
You can only deduct depreciation up to your business’s taxable income for the year. But you can carry over any remaining Section 179 deductions for upcoming tax years.
Spread out the cost of a large purchase
Semi trucks are an integral part of your work as a trucker, but shouldering the entire cost at once may not be feasible or may strain your finances. You can shell out anywhere from $70,000 to $200,000 for a truck, depending on the model and whether it’s new or used.
Financing your semi truck costs more than buying outright since you have interest and fees. But spreading the cost out over three to five years makes payments manageable, and you can pay for the truck as you generate income with it. In other words, let the semi truck pay for itself.
Accessible to startups and bad-credit borrowers
You’ll typically finance a semi truck through an equipment loan, which is a secured loan. Secured loans are less risky to the lender because they can recoup the loan by seizing the asset you used as collateral. Because you can use your high-value semi truck to secure the loan, you could get semi-truck financing even as a new business or with poor credit.
Leasing options
Leasing your truck is ideal if you don’t qualify for a loan or you don’t want to chance defaulting on a loan if your contracts go sideways. Some leasing companies don’t require a down payment and most offer vehicle maintenance packages, helping you get on the road for a predictable monthly payment.
You could also get matched with a much newer truck than you could afford with a loan. Plus, you can opt to buy your truck at the end of your lease. But you might pay more in fees by the end than you would if you financed a truck.
Cons of semi-truck financing
The main downsides to semi-truck financing are the variety of costs that you’ll bear over the life of the loan. Take a look at what costs you’ll be expected to pay.
High purchase costs
Even though you’re paying for it over time, a semi truck is going to cost you tens of thousands of dollars no matter what type of financing you choose.
For example, if you finance a $100,000 truck for seven years at 6 percent interest, you’re looking to pay around $1,461 per month — and that’s with a prime interest rate. Over the life of the loan, you’ll pay an additional $22,712 above the cost of the vehicle. Get an idea of your monthly repayments ahead of time before you apply for a loan.
High interest and loan fees
Most lenders offer their prime interest rates as low as 6 percent if you have a credit score in the upper 600s or higher. But if you have bad credit or you’re a first-time owner-operator, you might see interest rates between 30 and 100 percent.
Let’s put that high interest in perspective. If you finance a $100,000 semi truck for seven years at 30 percent interest, you’ll end up paying around $2,860 in monthly repayments. The total interest for the entire loan would come to $140,181.
Not to mention you have the regular business loan fees to watch for. Depending on the lender, you may pay an origination fee anywhere from 0.5 to 8 percent of the loan amount. You may also pay fees to apply for the loan, get the truck appraised and check your credit.
Requires down payment
You’ll most likely need to put 10 to 20 percent down when getting a loan for your semi truck. The down payment lowers the risk of financing for the lender, which can be helpful if you have subprime credit. But it means you need a hefty sum on hand before you can get your truck.
Requires time in business
Many lenders require that you have a history of truck driving before they’ll finance a semi truck for you. For example, banks may want to see one to two years in the industry, while online lenders may allow as little as a six-month driving history. This requirement makes it difficult for new drivers to become an owner-operator.
Where to find semi-truck financing
There’s no shortage of lenders who offer equipment financing for truckers, although you should compare top lenders and the types of loans they offer to get the best features. We curated a list of lenders to get you started.
Banks
Physical banks offer some of the lowest interest rates, but you may need a credit score around 660 or higher to qualify. Check out what these banks have to offer.
Lender
Loan type
Best features
Bank of America
Equipment loan
Loan terms up to 5 years
Starting interest rates of 6.50%
PNC Bank
Small business vehicle finance loan
Loan amounts from $10,000 to $250,000
Terms range from 2 to 6 years
TAB Bank
Equipment loan
Online application
Same-day credit approvals
Works well for owner-operators or fleets
Specializes in semi-truck loans
Online lenders
Online lenders tend to approve loans more quickly than traditional banks and may offer features like early payoff discounts or a flexible payment schedule. See what features you get with these online lenders.
Lender
Loan type
Best features
National Funding
Equipment loan or lease
Fast funding
Loan interest rates start at 4.99% (simple)
Loan terms range from 2 to 6 years
Lowest price guarantee for leases
Triton Capital
Equipment loan
Funding in 1 to 2 business days
Interest rates from 5.99% to 24.99%
Terms ranging from 12 to 60 months
Flexible payments, including annual or seasonal options
SMB Compass
Equipment loan
Loan amounts up to $5 million
Interest rates start at 5.99%
Funding in as little as 24 to 48 hours
Direct lenders
These direct lenders specialize in truck financing or equipment loans and work to approve loans quickly. Check out the loans and features they offer.
Lender
Loan type
Best features
CAG Truck Capital
Semi-truck and engine overhaul financing
Same-day approvals
Specializes in the trucking industry
Works with bad credit borrowers
Interest rates start at 10.00%
Balboa Capital
Equipment loan
Loan amounts up to $500,000
Same-day funding
Terms up to 60 months
Truck Lenders USA
Box truck financing
24-hour approvals
Finances box trucks in classes 3 to 6
Works well for owner-operators or fleets
Bottom line
Financing a semi truck helps you cover the cost of an expensive assetwithout depleting your financial resources before you even get on the road. Yet any business loan will set you back in interest and fees versus buying the truck outright, especially if you apply with poor credit.
Your best bet is to shop around with different lenders to see what types of loans and interest rates you qualify for. If you’re in good financial standing, try a traditional bank for the lowest rates. Otherwise, you might want to work with an online lender or a direct lender that specializes in the trucking industry.
Frequently asked questions
Most lenders will finance a semi truck up to five years. Some lenders offer terms as long as seven years, while a few will customize the repayment terms based on your financial situation.
If you finance your semi truck through a traditional bank, you’ll need a credit score of 660 or higher. Online lenders typically set their minimum credit scores in the low 600s.If you have poor credit, you can find online or direct lenders that offer loans for bad credit borrowers. You may also be able to get approved with bad credit by offering a higher down payment or extra collateral to back the loan.
You’re most likely to get semi-truck financing without a down payment if you go with a leasing company like National Funding or Ryder. Most leases give you the option to buy the truck at the end, so ownership is still possible.If you want to finance without a down payment, you’ll need to find a lender willing to work with you. Having a relationship with the lender will give you a better chance of getting approved. They may also require excellent credit and strong finances to repay the loan, and expect to pay a higher interest rate than you would if you put money down.
Everyone always wants their house to be pulled together for the holidays. I’m no different. But since I can’t make couches or rugs magically ship faster, I’m making progress wherever I can. Case in point: Our laundry room! I’d neglected to actually design the space before we moved into our new house. But now that the room is all dressed up nice, I can actually smile while doing my chores!
You may have caught the before pic of the space in this post. But in case you missed here it is again.
It was essentially nothing more than a tiny box with a giant washer & dryer in it! When it came to actually designing this space, I focused on 3 main goals.
Make it Functional: In the rush of the move, I didn’t put thought into the laundry room. I knew I wanted a front loading washer dryer for their easy loadability and capacity. But I got mine and just plopped them in there. I didn’t spend anytime thinking about how to optimize space, storage or really make the room work.
Add Storage: Now that I’m mom, I’m dealing with every kind of laundry dilemma under the sun. So the amount of stain boosters, whiteners and laundry pre-treaters have exploded. I needed to create space in our laundry room so there would be room for it all.
Make it Really Really Good Looking: Utility spaces can look just as good as any other room in the house. A few design tricks can make even highly functional spaces chic.
And if I do say so myself, I think I was able to achieve all three of my goals – though I’ll let you be the final judge.
Let’s talk function first. I selected the LG SideKick for my laundry room. I adore them, but they are a pretty big washer and dryer. They both sit on pedestals making them nice and tall. They are also rather deep. We nestled them into the wall as much as possible, but the room is relatively narrow. To get the storage I was craving, I had a custom shelf built that just fits over the two units. That shelf allows me to have everything I use daily – detergent and boosters like Clorox Control Bleach Packs at arms reach. I like that I don’t have to open any cupboards or move things in and out. Everything is right at my finger tips.
I was also able to capitalize on storage built into the LG Twinwash washer/dryer system itself. For one thing, the washer pedestal actually conceals an additional washer! That lets me do a quick small load, wash delicates or soak stained items in my favorite pre-treaters without needing an additional tub or bucket. Winning! The dryer pedestal is actually a storage drawer. That’s where I house all my laundry secret weapons like Clorox 2 Stain Remover, Clorox 2 Darks and Denim, Oxi Max Radiant White and the like. I love that it keeps all the packaged goods tucked away where I don’t have to stare at any labels. Again, winning!
The design elements of the room are where the form and function really come together. I started by installing beautiful Erica Tanov wallpaper to create a dramatic feature wall at the back of the room. I’m in love with the gold foil. It’s the perfect backdrop for my storage system. I worked with local organizing guru Bliss Haus to design a beautiful laundry storage set up. Everything is decanted into glass jars for a clean, uniform look. There are even jars to collect dryer lint and lost socks! The custom print labels are so cool. It really took the room to the next level. A modern white and wood metal Japanese basket holds spray bottles and scented room spray. Because sometimes laundry rooms just get funky.
I used jars with wooden lids from the Jenni Kayne to mix in a modern touch. To add even more texture, I added a vintage Moroccan dhurrie from St Frank to the floor. The golden tones warm up the room and tie in with the Erica Tanov wallpaper’s golden hue. My favorite design idea in the space might have to be the Meghan Shimek weaving I found at local San Francisco boutique The Podolls. I needed something to conceal our electric panel. The wall hanging does the job perfectly. A fiddle leaf fig and white textured planter from Flora Grubb adds life and a pop of rich color.
All these elements come together to create my dream laundry room. I can do loads and loads while loving my surroundings. One more room down. Many more to go!
Check out our entire archive of house updates and all the rooms completed to date HERE.
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original photography for Apartment 34 by aubrie pick
This content was created is in partnership with Clorox.