Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further
Summer is an extremely popular time to move. Many people avoid moving during the other months due to their kids being in school and not wanting to disrupt the school season. Once school’s out in May or June, then people start their journeys to their new homes and cities. Another reason people often move in the summer is that it’s much more pleasant than trying to move in the cold, rain, snow, or ice! Whether you are moving cross-town or across the country, here are a few tips to save money while moving.
Consider when you’re moving
As we mentioned, most people move during either the late spring, summer, and early fall. And based on the laws of supply and demand, it’s likely to cost more to move then vs. moving in the offseason, all other things remaining equal. If you have kids whose school schedules you don’t want to interrupt, you may not have a choice in what time of year you move.
Even if you’re moving during peak moving season, you might consider saving some money by not moving on the weekend. Again, weekends are when many people move, so many moving companies will charge more for a weekend move. If you have the flexibility to do so, consider moving during the week. If you’re using a professional moving company, ask them if they will give a discount if you move during the week.
Don’t move everything you have
Once you’ve figured out when you’re planning on moving, it’s time to figure out WHAT you’re moving. No matter how much stuff you think you have, you actually have way more. It’s amazing how much you accumulate over the years. Make sure you carefully measure the dimensions of your new home to figure out what will fit. Sell, donate or give away anything that won’t fit in. The earlier that you start the process, the better off you will be.
If you have the flexibility to start moving a few weeks or months before you need to move, you’ll have the time to be able to sell things you don’t want to take with you. If you’re not able to have a garage or yard sale yourself, you might have a friend or family member that is having one. See if they will let you sell some of your items at their sale either on a commission or for a fixed price. If you put it off until the last minute, you’re likely to find yourself giving things away for free or, worse, paying someone to haul it away.
Whether you are moving within your same city or to a new city will have an impact on how much you need to get rid of. When you move long-distance, you’re limited to whatever gets shipped or put on the truck. For shorter moves, you can make multiple trips. Whether you’re moving to a smaller or larger place plays a big part as well. In any case, it’s a good idea to try and downsize as much as possible.
Saving money on packing supplies
There are a few ways that you can save money on packing supplies like boxes. The best way to save money is to get boxes from someone who moved a week or two before you did. They’ll likely be happy for someone to take their boxes away. Unless you know someone that’s recently moved, there aren’t a lot of places to reliably get free moving boxes. One option can be Uhaul — while their boxes aren’t free, they will buy back any boxes that you don’t use. That way you don’t have to worry about overpaying for boxes.
Pack it (or move it) yourself
Another great way to save money while moving is to move things yourself. Now is a great time to call in those favors to get help from your friends, family and church. Of course, the feasibility of moving yourself will depend a lot on your specific situation. Where you’re moving, how much you have to move, and how many people you can call on will be major factors in whether moving things yourself is even possible.
Even if you are hiring a moving company, you can still save money by doing the packing yourself. Most moving companies will pack things for you, but it definitely drives up the cost. Remember that if you do pack things yourself, you may be responsible for any items that are damaged during the move.
The Bottom Line
Moving can be a stressful time, so it depends on your own specific situation how much you want to focus on saving money vs. saving your time. If you can be flexible, try to move during the week and/or during the offseason. The next most important thing to save money while moving is to start early and downsize your possessions as much as possible. The sooner you start, the more time you’ll have to sell the things you can’t take with you. If you can find someone who moved shortly before you, ask if they have any moving boxes you can use, and pack and move as much as you can yourself to save money while moving.
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Dan Miller is a freelance writer and founder of PointsWithACrew.com, a site that helps families to travel for free / cheap. His home base is in Cincinnati, but he tries to travel the world as much as possible with his wife and 6 kids. More from Dan Miller
Outfielder Avisaíl Garcia has settled into his role with the Miami Marlins. Signed through the 2025 season, Garcia has decided to make Miami his home—in a big way.
Right before the start of the 2023 season, he purchased a palatial Coral Gables, FL, property, which had been on the market most recently for nearly $10.5 million.
But the slugger took a swing at a discount, and it paid off. The official price tag on the seven-bedroom, eight-bath, 11,400-square foot dwelling? Exactly $9,062,600, according to public record.
And when the mansion debuted on the market in July 2022 for $12,495,000, it was being offered fully furnished. Let’s take a look at the luxurious home, set in a gated community just seven miles from Miami.
Built in 2020
(Realtor.com)
Surrounded by greenery
(Realtor.com)
Balconies for all
(Realtor.com)
The brand-new home was completed in 2020 and is pristine in every way. It’s also in a coveted spot in this community, as it occupies a corner lot with massive oaks and verdant plantings that act as a privacy buffer.
South Florida’s hurricane season will be no match for this house, thanks to solid construction from the concrete roof and impact-resistant, CGI doors and windows.
Inside, however, glamour takes over.
A grand staircase winds its way to the second floor from the foyer, where you’re greeted by an open-plan living space. Glass doors usher in lovely views and plenty of sunshine, reflecting off the white and light-stone interiors.
The kitchen is outfitted with quartz counters; a generous island with seating for four; and luxe, Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances.
A dramatic entry
(Realtor.com)
The open kitchen
(Realtor.com)
Family room
(Realtor.com)
The home also has a cozy den and multiple bedrooms with en suite baths. The primary bedroom has a spa bath and is situated in its own wing. Outside, a three-car garage and a gorgeous pool and spa complete the package.
Garcia, 31, made his big-league debut with the Detroit Tigers in 2012 and starred in the playoffs as a rookie. Since then, he has bounced around the big leagues and made the All-Star team in 2017, while playing with the Chicago White Sox. Prior to the 2022 season, Garcia signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the Marlins.
The GI Bill offers veterans, military members, and their loved ones many benefits. But one thing it doesn’t cover? That’d be buying a house.
Fortunately, if you’re looking to purchase a new home as a veteran or active-duty service member, you still have options. While there may not be a specific GI Bill home loan out there, there is a mortgage program designed just for military home buyers — and it’s one of the best home loan programs on the market.
Are you interested in using the VA loan program to buy a house? Let this VA home loan info guide the way.
Check your eligibility for a VA home loan here (Apr 30th, 2023)
Mortgage program for military home buyers
Dubbed the VA loan program, these military-only mortgages are some of the best financing options available. They’re backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and offer low interest rates, come with no loan limits, and require zero down payment at all.
So while there is no official “GI home loan,” military borrowers have access to a VA home loan benefit, a great mortgage program intended to put homeownership into reach for veterans, active-duty service members and their families.
Benefits of a VA loan
VA loans come with countless benefits, but the biggest perk is that they require no down payment.
Unlike other mortgage programs, which ask for anywhere from 3% to 20% down, VA loans require no down payment at all. This can offer significant savings right off the bat. (A low-cost FHA loan requires at least $7,000 down on a $200,000 house, for example, while a VA loan requires $0 down).
Some other benefits of VA loans include:
Competitively low interest rates
No credit score requirements
Limits on closing costs
Loans are assumable, meaning future buyers can take over the loan (and the favorable rate and term it comes with)
No private mortgage insurance (PMI)
No loan limits
Can be used multiple times
VA loan mortgage rates 2023
When compared to other loan types — conventional loans and FHA loans, for example — VA home loans offer consistently lower rates than for the average consumer.
VA
Conventional
FHA
March 2023
6.18%
6.54%
6.44%
February 2023
6.04%
6.26%
6.30%
January 2023
5.96%
6.27%
6.22%
December 2022
6.17%
6.36%
6.36%
November 2022
6.56%
6.81%
6.66%
October 2022
6.62%
6.90%
6.73%
Source: Economic Research Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
A lower interest rate translates to a lower monthly mortgage payment and substantial savings over the life of your loan.
Qualify with GI Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA)
One last advantage? If you qualify for GI Bill benefits, you can actually use your GI Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) to qualify for a VA loan. If you’re considering this option, talk to a VA lender. They can give you an idea of what your MHA qualifies you for.
VA loan eligibility & guidelines
For eligible borrowers, VA loans are usually the best mortgage option available. To qualify, borrowers must meet eligibility requirements set by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and by the individual lender.
VA loan service eligibility requirements
VA loans are only for active-duty military members, veterans, and their families (including surviving spouses), so there are strict service requirements you’ll need to meet to qualify.
The exact standards depend on when you served, but generally speaking, you’ll need to have one of the following:
90 consecutive days of active service during wartime
181 days of active service during peacetime
6 years of service in the National Guard or Reserves
A veteran/service member spouse who died in the line of duty or due to a service-related disability or injury
Qualifying for a VA loan
The VA doesn’t set specific financial standards for its loans, though private mortgage lenders — the companies who actually issue the loans — do. These vary from one lender to the next, but in most cases, borrowers need at least a 620 credit score and a debt-to-income ratio of 41% or less.
If you fall short of these requirements, you still might qualify. Just make sure to shop around for your lender, work on improving your credit, and consider making a down payment. These steps can all help you better qualify for a mortgage loan (VA or not).
VA loan property requirements
The VA home loan program is intended to help veterans and active-duty service members become homeowners. That means, with some rare exceptions, these homes are reserved for single-family homes that the borrower plans to use as a primary residence.
A VA appraisal will ensure the property meets the VA’s Minimum Property Requirements, to ensure the home is livable and worth the value of the loan.
See if you’re eligible for a VA home loan (Apr 30th, 2023)
Types of VA loans
You can use a VA loan to either purchase a property or refinance an existing one. In both cases, there are a few options.
These include:
VA Purchase Loans: These can be used to buy a home (up to four units), an approved condo, or a manufactured home. You can also use VA purchase loans to build a new construction property or purchase a home and renovate it
VA Streamline Refinance: Also known as a VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL), these streamlined refinance loans allow existing VA loan borrowers to lower their interest rates or get more favorable terms quickly and affordably.
Native American Direct Loans: These are VA loans reserved just for veterans of Native American descent. They can be used to buy, build, or renovate properties on federal trust lands or to refinance.
VA Cash-out Refinance Loans: These are VA loans that let you tap your home equity. They replace your existing VA loan with a larger-balance one and give you a lump-sum payment in return. Cash-out refinancing can be a good choice if you need to make repairs on your property or if you have unexpected or looming expenses to cover.
VA funding fee
The VA funding fee is a one-time fee you’ll pay at closing. It helps subsidize the VA loan program and keeps costs low for future VA borrowers. The exact fee depends on your loan type, the number of times you’ve used your VA loan benefits, and your down payment size.
VA home loan FAQ
How much is a typical GI home loan?
There is no GI Bill home loan, but VA loans have no loan limits. As long as you have your full entitlement, you can borrow as much as you need to purchase a property. Keep in mind, though, lenders have their own criteria for evaluating borrowers. These tend to be stricter on higher loan amounts.
What are the benefits of a VA home loan?
The VA housing loan is one of the most beneficial financing products out there. The VA guarantee means private lenders can afford to pass along valuable benefits to eligible veterans, active-duty service members and their families. These loans come with no mortgage insurance or down payment, they have low interest rates, and there are no credit score requirements or loan limits either.
How much house can I afford as a veteran?
That depends on your budget, the interest rate you qualify for, and the down payment you’re willing to make. You can use this VA home loan calculator to point you in the right direction.
What is a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)?
A Certificate of Eligibility is an official document from the VA that details your military service. Lenders use it to determine whether you meet the VA loan program’s service requirements, which are detailed above. You can retrieve your COE yourself through your eBenefits portal, or you can ask your chosen VA lender to request the document on your behalf.
Can I get a COE as the spouse of a Veteran?
You can get a Certificate of Eligibility as the spouse of a veteran in some cases, but not all. To qualify for a COE, your spouse will either need to be missing in action, a prisoner of war or have died while in service from a service-connected disability. There are some other nuances, too — especially if you’ve remarried, so be sure to check out the VA’s detailed rules here.
Can I get a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for a VA direct or VA-backed home loan?
Certificates of Eligibility are required for all VA mortgages, including Native American Direct and VA-backed purchase and refinance loans.
How much is the VA funding fee?
Your VA funding fee will depend on a few factors, including the type of loan you’re using, whether you’re a first-time home buyer, and whether you’re making a down payment. Fees range anywhere from 0.5% to 3.6% of the total loan amount and is typically well-worth the VA loan savings it allows you to access. This money allows the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to continue to offer this valuable VA home loan benefit to qualified veterans, active-duty service members and their families.
GI home loans: The bottom line
While there is technically no such thing as a GI home loan, veterans and active-duty service members do have access to excellent VA mortgage program, which offers significant benefits including:
Zero down payment
Competitively low interest rates
No credit score requirements
Limits on closing costs
Loans are assumable, meaning future buyers can take over the loan (and the favorable rate and term it comes with)
No private mortgage insurance (PMI)
No loan limits
Can be used multiple times
If you’re ready to buy a home (or refinance one), a VA loan might be your best option.
Ready to buy a home with a VA loan? Start here (Apr 30th, 2023)
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Scroll through TikTok’s finance feed and you’ll come across viral videos on “infinite banking.” The concept is making a splash on social media, fueled by celebrities like rapper Waka Flocka Flame.
But infinite banking is nothing new. The term was coined by economist Nelson Nash in the 1980s and outlined in his 2000 book, “Becoming Your Own Banker: Unlock the Infinite Banking Concept.” The strategy involves tapping into the cash value of certain life insurance policies like whole life and treating it as a personal bank.
Nash promoted infinite banking as a path to financial freedom and wealth creation. But it’s a little more complicated than Waka Flocka Flame and TikTokkers claim.
How infinite banking works
Whole life insurance policies usually last your entire life and have a cash value component that grows at a guaranteed rate over time. This rate of return varies among insurers, but it’s typically around 5%, Barry Flagg, a chartered life underwriter in Tampa, Florida, and the founder of the life insurance research company Veralytic, said in an email.
Once your policy has accumulated enough cash value, you can begin to take out loans against the funds — and that’s where the concept of “banking on yourself” comes in.
When you pay your life insurance premium, a portion goes to the policy’s cash value component. Infinite banking takes it one step further: Policyholders pour extra money into the cash value to speed up growth. They then treat it as a personal line of credit and borrow against the policy’s cash value to pay for large purchases instead of relying on traditional lenders or dipping into savings.
But cash value life insurance can be complex and pricey, and infinite banking is a nuanced concept. For these reasons, it’s best suited to high net worth individuals with a high risk tolerance to match, Flagg says.
Turning your policy into a personal bank
This strategy has perks. For example, you don’t have to qualify for a cash value loan in the same way you do for traditional loans. The money within cash value policies is liquid, and there’s no requirement to repay the loan by a set date — or at all. If you don’t, though, your insurer will subtract the amount you borrowed from the policy’s death benefit, leaving your beneficiaries with a lower payout when you die.
Under infinite banking, the cash value is collateral for the loan and the life insurance policy is tied to it. This means you risk losing your coverage if you don’t watch the cash value closely. Insurers charge interest on cash value loans, too.
“If you were truly borrowing from yourself, you wouldn’t be paying yourself interest,” says Daphne Jordan, an Austin, Texas-based certified financial planner and wealth adviser at Pioneer Wealth Management Group.
What’s more, infinite banking is expensive. For example, a healthy 40-year-old man can expect to pay $7,028 per year on average for a $500,000 whole life policy, according to Quotacy, an online life insurance brokerage. In most cases, he’d pay premiums every year for the rest of his life.
The financial obligations don’t stop there. Infinite banking only works when policyholders overfund the cash value. For a 40-year-old man in good health, that means contributing money beyond the $7,028 paid in annual premiums. It’s common practice in infinite banking to allocate around 10% of your income to the cash value each month, which is no small commitment.
Another downside of infinite banking is time. It can take years or even decades to build the cash value you need to start taking out loans without penalty.
Think about your priorities
The primary purpose of life insurance is to leave money to your loved ones when you die, not build wealth.
For Jordan, wealth creation is a science, and it starts with taking care of the basics.
Think paying off debt like student loans and credit cards and building an emergency savings fund. Aim to open a high-yield savings account at a bank insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., or FDIC, or at a credit union backed by the National Credit Union Administration, or NCUA, and save enough money to cover three months of living expenses.
Focusing on your retirement comes next. Jordan recommends directing at least 10% of your income into a tax-advantaged retirement account, like a 401(k) or Roth IRA, before exploring something like infinite banking.
“When you’re on an airplane, they always tell you to put the oxygen mask on yourself before helping others,” Jordan says.
“The way you do that with building wealth is to get rolling on saving for the unexpected and saving for your future self.”
This article was written by NerdWallet and was originally published by The Associated Press.
Higher mortgage rates did not scare away potential homeowners last week. Borrower demand for home loans increased across the board, despite rates being at their highest level in over a month.
“There are still so many borrowers looking to purchase a home. Plenty of buyers, but not enough homes for sale,” California-based mortgage loan officer Dan Stone, who works with hundreds of mortgage lenders, told HousingWire.
“Prices are still expensive, forcing buyers to look at less expensive homes or areas not as preferred. Many potential homebuyers are actively looking online, waiting for the right home and price,” Stone added.
The latest Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) report confirms Stone’s perceptions.
The Market Composite Index, a measure of application volume, increased 3.7% for the week ending April 21 compared to one week earlier on a seasonally adjusted basis. The survey, conducted since 1990, covers over 75% of all U.S. retail residential mortgage applications.
Borrowers’ demand increased for conventional and government loans, up 4.50% and 1.20% from one week earlier, respectively. Mortgage apps also rose 4.7% for home purchases and 1.7% for refinancing.
“Both conventional and government home purchase applications increased last week. However, activity was still nearly 28% below last year’s pace, as high mortgage rates and low supply have slowed the market this year, even as home-price growth has decelerated in many markets across the country,” Joel Kan, MBA’s vice president and deputy chief economist, said in a statement.
“Refinance applications also increased last week but remained at half of last year’s levels,” Kan added. Refinancing comprised 26.8% of the total applications last week compared to 27.6% the previous week, according to the MBA data.
Rates trending upward
Mortgage rates have increased ahead of the Federal Reserve’s meeting, which is scheduled for May 2-3. In its last meeting in March, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) raised the federal funds rate by 25 basis points, climbing from 4.75% to 5%, its ninth consecutive rate hike.
The MBA data shows the average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($726,200 or less) at 6.55% last week, compared to 6.43% the previous week. Rates for jumbo loans (greater than $726,200) rose to 6.40% from 6.28%.
“Although incoming data points to a slowdown in the U.S. economy, markets continue to expect that the Fed will raise short-term rates at its next meeting, which have pushed Treasury yields somewhat higher,” Kan said. “As a result of the higher yields, mortgage rates increased for the second straight week to their highest level in over a month.”
Experts do see some signs of improvement in housing supply, but it’s still too early to celebrate.
Altos Research data shows that inventory rose from 405,468 to 414,010 from April 14 to 21. The bottom for 2022 was 240,194. Meanwhile, the peak for 2023 so far is 472,680.
According to Logan Mohtashami, lead analyst at HousingWire, active and new listings fell two weeks ago based on Altos Research data. The Easter holiday may have had an impact, he said.
“If that is the case, then this week’s gain in active inventory and new listings needs to be taken with a grain of salt until we get next week’s data,” Mohtashami wrote.
Over the last decade, it is safe to say that gray has been one of the most popular colors to decorate with in the home.
A sophisticated, adaptable neutral that can coordinate with pretty much any other color, it is no wonder so many of us have embraced gray room ideas in our interior spaces. However, decorating with gray isn’t always as simple as it seems – having too much of a good thing doesn’t always equal decorating success. Indeed, it seems that many of us have fallen out of love with the shade: ‘what color is replacing gray?’ has soared in popularity as a search term online.
room color ideas, as their versatile nature means they can seamlessly coordinate with a whole host of varied home decor ideas and styles.
However, without the right design knowledge, a gray scheme can quickly fall flat, so we have asked a collection of designers for their top design mistakes to avoid when decorating with gray.
1. Using too much of the same gray shade
(Image credit: Susie Novak)
As tempting as it may be to use a favorite color in abundance for your decorating ideas, overusing the same gray shade across paint ideas, furniture, accessories and more, will establish a bland and unexciting space that lacks colorful depth and contrast.
Instead, embrace multiple shades of gray to create a stylish, layered design rich in tonal variation.
When deciding on the perfect palette of grays for your space, Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene (opens in new tab) and Paint & Paper Library (opens in new tab) advises that ‘different pigments in grays will affect the overall undertones and how the colors sit together in the scheme. If it’s continuity and consistency that you are aiming for, consider grays with similar undertones for a harmonious palette that ties together seamlessly. It’s much easier to go with grays from the same color family as this will make it easier to build a cohesive scheme.’
In this beautiful gray living room above, designed by Susie Novak Interiors (opens in new tab), the gray color scheme establishes an elegant and sophisticated space. The light gray paint on the walls has been complemented by couches in a slightly lighter gray with the same tone, and gray shades with darker and bluer undertones have been used across other furniture pieces and accessories, establishing a successful gray room that feels perfectly balanced.
Ruth Mottershead
accent colors for gray, the options really are endless.
‘When choosing grays, go for something well balanced like our ‘French Grey (opens in new tab)’ family. ‘French Grey’ is very versatile as it is not too cold nor too warm. These grays can be paired with other shades with ease, combining well with blues, greens and pinks. Accent colors should be used to highlight and work in tandem with the base shade, rather than against it,’ advises Ruth Mottershead.
In this gray dining room, designed by Mary Jo Fiorella (opens in new tab), the gray painted walls have been uplifted by the warming metal tones of the pendant and picture frame, and further complemented by the cream and blue seating, creating a harmonious mix of warm and cool tones.
3. Not considering the natural light in the room
(Image credit: Susie Novak)
When choosing a room’s color scheme, Clara Ewart, head of design at Kitesgrove (opens in new tab), advises ‘considering the lighting of a room before confirming colors, and wherever possible, try the swatch in situ before making a final decision, as different lights and seasons can change its appearance.’
How much natural light a room receives, and the warmth (or coolness) of that light, can have a big impact in on your chosen color scheme. If a room is north-facing for example, and you want to enhance the cool, natural light as much as possible, stick to warmer, pale grays, which will help make a dark room lighter, brighter, and warmer, too. Or, go for darker, moodier shades, still with warm tones, if you want the effect to be cozy and cocooning.
If you’re intending to design a space that contains lots of gray elements, always consider the overall mood and feel you are trying to create in comparison to the light the room receives. A room that fills with lots of natural light can help colors appear more vibrant and bright, whereas in a space where light is lacking, colors will appear duller and darker.
Bear in mind, too, how your evening lighting will affect the grays you choose – sample swatches on each wall, surveyed over days and evenings, are always worth the effort.
Clara Ewart
Stacy Garcia (opens in new tab) says, ‘as pretty as gray is, it can be somewhat cold, so adding in warmer tones, like sand and taupe, to a gray room, will help cozy it up. If you’re looking to stay on-trend, warmer neutrals or warm neutrals blended with gray is the way to go.’
Sue Wadden (opens in new tab) from Sherwin-Williams suggests that ‘over the past few years, we’ve begun to see popular tones of gray shift from cooler, modern tones to warmer hues inspired by nature. The earthy undertones in Slate Tile SW 7624 (opens in new tab) make for a grounding hue that pairs well with warm neutrals like Shoji White SW 7042 (opens in new tab).’
To help a cool gray room look warmer, and prevent it from feeling too cold and uninviting, ensure to balance out cooler gray tones with warming neutrals such as beige and brown, or more colorful brights such as pink, yellow and orange; this can be achieved through paint, lighting, furniture accessories and more.
Stacy Garcia
texture and depth will feel flat and lifeless – even more so when working with a neutral such as gray, so incorporating layers of textures, as well as complementary colors, is key.
‘While many may think of gray as an overly-sophisticated color to weave into interior design, it can also be fun and eye-catching when used with the right texture.
For light gray walls, try a deep gray or charcoal-colored carpet to ground your room and create a cozier feel. For darker gray walls or accent walls in a deep gray shade, we love a natural fiber carpet with dark and light flecks – this balances the light in your room and creates a seamless transition from wall to floor, while helping the space to maintain an open atmosphere,’ says Lorna Haigh (opens in new tab), creative director at Alternative Flooring.
From the warmth of wooden furniture to the softness of carpet ideas underfoot, a thoughtful mix of textures and colors will help a gray scheme feel more balanced and rich with eye-catching visual interest.
Lorna Haigh
White room ideas are renowned to make spaces feel lighter and brighter, and just like gray, white is incredibly versatile and timeless. From white furniture, to soft furnishings such as curtains and cushions, uniting white with gray will make for a soft and soothing space.
For more colorful room ideas, embrace a bold, bright accent color such as yellow or a beautiful sky blue. These inviting colors of nature will establish a stylish contrast with a gray room; and uplift the space with joyful color and character.
‘We’ve seen gray take over home furnishings over the last few years, but now, I suggest using gray as more of an accent color, rather than for an “all-over” gray affect,’ says interior designer Stacy Garcia.
As gray is such an adaptable shade, we should be celebrating its magnificent ability in being able to work wonderfully with literally any other color
As we have explored, using too much gray can create a design that is far from warm and welcoming. Instead, let gray provide a calming, neutral accent, or act as the backdrop for a standout piece of colorful furniture or artwork, and remember, a successful scheme is always one that embraces beautiful contrast.
Stone walls, crocodile-filled moats, Rottweilers — our ancestors found some pretty creative home security solutions!
Today’s home security systems feature a more tech-savvy approach, but the goal remains the same: to keep your family, your property, and your stuff safe from outsiders.
Recent innovations have fueled a new surge in home security sales.
As you shop around and compare systems, consider your home’s security challenges, your lifestyle, and your budget.
Chances are good you’ll find the system you need, whether you’re a new homeowner or just new to the home security market.
How Security Systems Have Changed Over Time and Recently
Believe it or not, tech-driven security systems have been around nearly two centuries. Augustus Russell Pope of Boston combined electricity, magnets, and a bell to create a burglar alarm in the 1850s.
Marketing the invention proved difficult, though, because people feared electricity as much as they feared intruders. As the decades passed, the world caught up with Pope’s idea.
By the early 20th century, electricity had grown safer and more common. The burglar alarm started to catch on.
By the 1970s, home security systems featured motion sensors. Off-site monitoring caught on in the 1980s.
Prices started to fall in the 1990s, making systems accessible for more homeowners. Now the internet has changed the industry again.
For a few hundred dollars in hardware and installation fees — or perhaps less if you install the system yourself — you can monitor your own home from your smartphone from work, school, your commute, or even while on vacation.
These new systems have drawbacks, too, so before you jump in, make sure you’re getting the security your family needs.
Monitored Vs Unmonitored Security Systems
This has become the first question to ask when shopping for home security: Should you pay more for a system with professional monitoring included?
For decades, monitoring fees prevented a lot of homeowners from getting a home security system.
Even the lowest fees can become cost-prohibitive when you pay them month after month and year after year for the indefinite future.
For those homeowners, unmonitored systems may offer the only way into the home security market. If you have a choice, though, give this question some thought.
Monitored systems come with some advantages you may like.
Advantages of Professionally Monitored Systems
Just like with cars, computers, and houses, you get what you pay for with a home security system.
A monitored system costs more, but consider these advantages:
More seamless responses: With an unmonitored system, it would be up to you to contact fire or law enforcement officials when you get an alert about an intruder. When you’re out of town, calling 911 probably won’t work as quickly since you’d have to be transferred between areas of jurisdiction. Someone monitoring your home should be able to contact officials more quickly.
Someone else deals with false alarms: When you’re at work or out shopping and you get a security alert from your unmonitored security system, it’s up to you to assess the risk. If the FedEx guy triggered the alarm by delivering this month’s dog food, you’d feel relieved. But when something like this happens several times a day, it starts to get distracting. A monitored system can take care of these distractions, saving your attention for when it really matters.
Equipment may be included: Customers who buy an unmonitored system tend to be responsible for maintaining and upgrading their own security equipment. A monitored system would more likely include the equipment and, naturally, its maintenance and upgrades. In a fast-changing industry, your gear can get outdated pretty quickly.
Protection isn’t dependent on cell service: Most of us always know where our phones are. But what happens when you’re in an area with poor service or when you lose your phone on the Slinky Dog ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? (I’m not judging!) You may not have access to your at-home security system alerts when most needed. A monitored service can contact authorities to protect your home even when you aren’t in the loop.
Advantages of Unmonitored Systems
Unmonitored, also known as self-monitored, home security systems have become the fastest growing segment of the market for a reason. Advantages include:
The cost, of course: Since you could use a self-monitored home security system without paying monthly fees, you can save a lot month to month and year to year. Even if you pay a professional to install the system’s panel or cameras, you can still avoid that monthly bill.
A perfect fit if you’re renting: The home security market has traditionally ignored renters since they don’t have the authority to install hardware or enter a long-term contract. An unmonitored system offers exactly what a renter needs: flexible service with no long-term commitment.
Having more control: When you’re making all the decisions about whether to call for help or whether it’s a false alarm, you’re automatically controlling the response level. Since you know better than anyone what’s normal at your home, this can prevent some confusion. For example, the monitoring service may not know your brother has a spare key but does not know the alarm code. Since you know this, you can automatically filter out the police response as a viable option (unless you really have it in for your brother).
Integrating additional home systems: Some of the best self-monitored systems are an extension of WiFi-enabled home automation. Along with feeling more secure, you can also lock or unlock doors, change your thermostat, turn certain lights on or off, and even control the garden sprinklers (and lawn mowers!), all from an app. (Traditional monitored services have started adding these features, too.)
Can You Get the Best of Both Worlds?
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could combine the best aspects of professionally monitored and self-monitored systems?
Well, the industry has been moving in that direction.
Here’s why: The rapid growth of self-monitored home security systems has grabbed the attention of the traditional home security companies.
The leading monitored services are compensating by adding modern conveniences such as app-based customer control and, in some cases, acquiring smaller, self-monitored home security companies.
And it’s not a one-way street: Some self-monitored services have added the option to have your home professionally monitored, but with a twist. You can get add-on monitoring for a fee only when you need it. That way you could still avoid the contracts and flat monthly fees.
As the market continues to evolve, I’d expect to see less separation between these two categories.
But full-time monitoring will continue to be a separator. It simply costs more money to have someone monitoring your home and responding to problems all day every day.
And in many cases, professional monitoring equals a more secure home.
Should You Buy a Monitored or Unmonitored Security System?
This gradual merging of monitored and unmonitored home security features could, ironically, make it harder to decide what kind of service to buy.
If you like the control an unmonitored system offers, you don’t necessarily have to opt for an unmonitored system anymore. You can find a monitored system with similar capabilities.
Or, if you want a monitored system because you’re out of town a lot, you no longer have to choose from only traditional security service providers. You may be able to find an unmonitored service with added-on monitoring periods without a contract.
If you can’t decide for sure, take a look at your home, your lifestyle, and your personal preferences. They can tell you a lot about your needs.
What Type of Home Do You Have?
The kind of home you’re protecting should help drive the kind of protection you buy.
Makes sense, right?
Well, it’s easy to forget such obvious things once you start comparing features, prices, contracts, apps, and customer reviews.
Take a look around your home. If you have two full floors full of windows and doors, along with a garage door and windows to consider, you’ll need a lot of equipment installed and maintained.
You’ll also have a lot more sensors to trigger false alarms. A monitored system could be worth the cost.
On the flip side, if you live in a 2-room apartment with just a few windows and only two doors, your up-front equipment investment will be less, and you’ll have fewer trigger points to keep an eye on as you monitor things while away. A self-monitored system could do the job.
How Connected Are You?
If a home security system sends an alert to your smartphone but no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? We could debate that question for hours, and if your phone happens to be off, someone could be stealing your stuff as we contemplate.
With an unmonitored system, you’re on call around the clock via your smartphone. If you’re the kind of person who likes to unplug after work or while on vacation, you may want to lean toward a monitored security system.
If, however, you and your phone are inseparable — if you sleep with the phone beside you on the pillow — you’re likely set up well to monitor security alerts.
That said, I’d suggest using a different ringtone for home security alerts. You wouldn’t want to ignore a serious problem thinking it was just a reminder to pick up your sister’s cat from the vet tomorrow.
How Connected Is Your Home?
Most of us have WiFi at home now. Most does not mean all, though.
People without WiFi at home will have a hard time using all the features of a self-monitored home security system.
In that case, a landline-based, traditional system would be a better option.
If you have WiFi, the quality of your surveillance will depend a lot on the quality of your Internet connection.
As more devices and appliances get online — thermostats, washing machines, tablets, phones, TVs, refrigerators, lawn mowers — there’s more demand on your network. For many of us, a DSL connection just doesn’t cut it anymore.
If you have a gigabit-per-second coming across fiber into your home, your unmonitored security features should work just fine.
How Busy Are You?
A lot of us can add tasks to our regular schedules without a lot of stress. People in the gig economy or with a couple side hustles may have just the kind of schedule flexibility they need to assess threats from their smartphones.
Sure, you may have to re-arrange a few things or tell a client to hold on a second while you check the alert on your phone, but it’s still possible. People who teach school, run meetings, perform surgery, or preside over class-action lawsuits may not have time to check their phones every couple of hours.
Just like any other commitment you take on, consider the time demands of an unmonitored security system.
I’ve been in more than one meeting where someone had to check on a security alert. (Usually, something like leaves blowing onto the porch or a delivery from Amazon triggered the alert.)
Do You Own Your Home?
I referred to this earlier, but it bears repeating. Traditional home security firms more or less ignored renters for years since they didn’t have permission to install a system anyway.
With no wires to run behind walls, a tenant can usually install an unmonitored system without changing the property.
Mounting a camera in the corner is hardly different from hanging a picture, and it’s a whole lot simpler than installing a wall-mounted TV.
Plus, when you move on to a new home in a new city, you could take a lot of the system’s components with you to use at the new rental house. Of course, check your lease agreement to make sure you have permission to make the changes an unmonitored system would require.
And, by the way, if you’re a renter who would like a traditional monitored system, ask your landlord about it. He or she may be fine with the idea, especially since a system could reduce your landlord’s homeowners insurance rates.
Best Security System Providers For 2023
We’ve chewed on a lot of theoretical stuff, so let’s get into what really matters. How do systems compare to each other, and which one should you get?
A year or so ago I would have made two best security system lists: One for monitored security systems and one for self-monitored systems.
The features of these systems have blended so much I think one list will better serve shoppers. I’ll be sure to indicate whether you would need a contract to use each service.
While convenient features are important and worth weighing into the equation, the quality of the system itself still matters most.
So I’ll be giving the quality of your home security system first priority in these comparisons while giving conveniences and customer flexibility a little less importance.
Frontpoint
Contract required: Yes Professional monitoring: Yes Length of contract: At least one year
Remember earlier when I suggested the future of home security will likely blend the features of monitored and unmonitored systems?
I had Frontpoint in mind when I said that.
This company has led this confluence of features, offering professional monitoring plus the conveniences do-it-yourself systems introduced.
Yes, Frontpoint requires a contract and you’ll be paying for 24/7 professional monitoring. But you’ll also have a user-friendly app that can control your locks, lights, and thermostat.
With Frontpoint, you install the equipment yourself since it’s wireless, lightweight, and easy to position with included adhesive strips.
Essentially, Frontpoint offers the best features of monitored and unmonitored services in one package: professional monitoring, quality equipment, convenient features, and a do-it-yourself approach.
That’s why I’ve listed Frontpoint first.
I also like the 30-day, risk-free guarantee. If you’re unhappy with the service, Frontpoint won’t bill you and you can return all the hardware. You won’t be on the hook for the rest of the contract.
I also like the one-year contract. Most companies require a three-year commitment.
Frontpoint offers three price points. If you’d like to access recorded video surveillance from your property, you’ll need to go with the most expensive plan.
Best for: A homeowner who wants mobile control, full-time professional monitoring, and more contract flexibility than usual. Avoid if: You don’t want to enter at least a one-year contract.
ADT Pulse
Contract required: Yes Professional monitoring: Yes Length of contract: At least three years
ADT, a leader in home security for almost 150 years, has also started offering the conveniences of unmonitored security in its ADT Pulse system.
Like Frontpoint, ADT Pulse still bases its services on contracts, but it has bulked up its app to give customers more control over their security equipment. In fact, you can probably incorporate your own cameras and sensors into ADT’s system since it supports many third-party hardware brands.
Unlike Frontpoint, ADT Pulse includes professional installation (and a corresponding $99 set-up fee). The result is another best-of-both-worlds approach for the customer who is willing to enter into a contract.
In ADT’s case, the contract will last at least three years, and you’d be billed a hefty termination fee to get out of it.
ADT will let you out of the contract if you’re not happy with the service, but it’s not a no-questions-asked policy. ADT will try to resolve your issues, which is a good thing if home security is your priority.
Best for: A homeowner who wants a time-tested, trustworthy home security partner with professional installation plus modern mobile-based control. Avoid if: You’re not sure about entering a long-term contract.
ProtectAmerica
Contract required: Yes Professional monitoring: Yes Length of contract: At least three years
By now you’re sensing a trend: Traditional, contract-based home security companies that have adopted modern conveniences are dominating the top of this list.
And for good reason: Ultimately, a home security system should provide the best home security for you and your family, and professional monitoring tends to offer more security.
ProtectAmerica makes this list for those reasons and because of its flexible pricing options. The company has five price points.
I’d stay away from the company’s less expensive, landline-based options. They do not offer the control and integration you’d get from Frontpoint or ADT Pulse (unless you want a traditional, landline-based system).
ProtectAmerica’s broadband and cellular-based options deliver a lot. You can even integrate the system with your Amazon Alexa or Google Home smart device for voice control.
And when an alarm goes off, you can also get a voice prompt from the system telling you which sensor or camera triggered the alarm. When you’re half asleep, this simplicity can pay off! There’s also a panic button which will automatically call for help.
Best for: A homeowner or renter who wants the conveniences of tech-based security with fewer potential complications. Avoid if: You’re shy about a three-year contract.
Vivint Home Security
Contract required: No, unless you’re financing equipment Professional monitoring: Yes Length of contract: At least 42 months (but only when financing equipment)
If you’ve been looking for a no-contract home security solution that still delivers professional results, consider Vivint Home Security. Vivint offers monitoring for a monthly fee, but it doesn’t require its customers to commit to more than one month at a time.
However, if you cancel your account while you still owe money on your equipment, Vivint will bill you for the balance. So even though you wouldn’t have an official contract, you’d still be compelled to keep the service or pay a lump sum to end your connection to the company.
It’s not exactly a no-strings-attached situation, but customers do have more control month to month, especially if they pay up front for the equipment.
Vivint makes this list because of this potential flexibility and because of the flexibility of the company’s equipment.
You can essentially build your own home security and home automation package the way you want. Rather than choosing from a package, you can combine different kinds of surveillance equipment including outdoor monitoring, and different safety features such as smart lighting and thermostat control.
You can manage your system through a Google or Amazon smart speaker or you can use a more customized control panel.
Best for: A homeowner who wants to customize a security solution. Avoid if: You don’t want to pay up front for equipment. If you don’t pay up front, you’ll have a de facto contract.
Link Interactive
Contract required: No, unless you’re financing equipment Professional monitoring: Yes (by a third party monitoring center) Length of contract: N/A unless financing equipment
Link Interactive rounds out my top 5 because, once again, it blends traditional and unmonitored features to give customers the best of both worlds. Link Interactive stands out because it has embraced broadband and cellular networks more thorough than most other providers.
As a result, you can talk with a professional monitor through your control panel at home during an emergency. Sometimes just knowing what’s going on and finding out easily when help will arrive can alleviate stress.
But you should know that Link Interactive uses a third party, which doesn’t always equal a loss in quality, but it does mean the company has less control over the monitoring process.
Still, lots of Link Interactive customers have been satisfied with their service according to TrustPilot and Better Business Bureau reports, which tend to lean toward the negative for security systems.
Link Interactive lets you pay month to month instead of committing to one to three years. However, as with Vivint, if you owe money on your home security equipment, you’d have to pay the balance if you canceled service.
So unless you pay up front for the equipment or pay the balance down enough to make more affordable, you’d likely be sticking with the service for a while.
Essentially, it’s a contract by another name. Link Interactive does stand by its 30-day grace period. If you change your mind or don’t like the service, you can cancel without obligations.
Security matters most, and even though I’ve listed a couple concerns, Link Interactive has the experience (about 70 years’ worth) and the equipment to serve its customers well.
Best for: A homeowner who wants a reliable partner with the best modern conveniences. Avoid if: You don’t plan to stick with the company for at least until you’ve paid off the equipment.
Best Self-Monitored Home Security Services For 2023
I know — I listed my five top choices for home security, and not a single one offers a completely self-monitored system.
I alluded to the reason earlier but here it is again: Professionally monitored systems simply provide better security across the board, and we’re looking for the best home security systems.
In most cases, security tends to be better because you have a staff of monitors at the ready to respond to a crisis at your home.
Most, of course, doesn’t mean all. You may have just the right work-life balance to handle a self-monitored system. Or you might just prefer to self-monitor your home security, either to save money or because you like the control.
If so, you have a lot of choices.
Let’s take a look at a few of my favorites.
Ring Alarm
You’ve probably seen this one on TV. It looks simple, efficient, and affordable.
Overall, it lives up. For only $200 or so up front, you can get a pretty solid set-up and install it yourself. Pricier packages offer more components for larger homes.
You can opt for professional monitoring (for $10 a month or $100 a year) or for self-monitoring, which is free. Ring connects to Z-wave, which means you can incorporate a wide variety of home management and security equipment.
Amazon owns and sells Ring systems, so if you’re a frequent Amazon shopper you’ll know pretty much what to expect.
Best for: A low-cost but useful alternative with professional monitoring available.
Honeywell Smart Home Security
Honeywell, whose name you may have seen on thermostats somewhere along the line, has expanded its business into smart home connectivity, including home security.
You’ll pay more, over $1,000 most likely, to get your system going, but after that, you can do a lot, including arming and disarming the system with a key fob and even integrating facial recognition.
Honeywell’s system works seamlessly with Amazon Alexa, and the system should soon also offer Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit integration.
Honeywell also syncs with Z-wave, which means you can use all sorts of wireless equipment to manage and monitor your home.
Best for: A do-it-yourself alternative that still has top-notch gear and accessibility specializing in self-monitoring.
SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe has grown in name recognition and market share. The company offers a lot of options. About 16 to be precise. They all vary slightly in the number of components and price.
Set-up fees range from about $290 to about $550 depending on how much equipment your home needs. The equipment is easy to install and use. You can go without professional monitoring and keep using the security equipment.
It tends to be harder to incorporate third-party equipment, though. So if you get SimpliSafe don’t assume you can use existing gear from previous systems.
Best for: An all-in-one system for homeowners new to security systems.
Nest Secure
If you use Google products — Google Assistant and the Android operating system, for example — Nest Secure could offer a sensible extension for your home automation and security needs.
Naturally, the service integrates nicely with Google Assistant and your Android phone or tablet. You can spend up to $500 or so getting the equipment set-up.
You can add professional monitoring on a contract or month-to-month basis.
Best for: Customers who already use Nest home automation products. Nest is part of Alphabet, Google’s parent company.
Going Cheap? Create Your Own System And Go Full DIY!
Even though the home security market has changed a lot with the success of self-monitoring systems, customers still have two basic choices:
Enter a contract of some sort to get professional monitoring and pay less up front.
Buy a do-it-yourself system, spending $300 to $1,500 up front, and have the freedom to self-monitor and avoid the contract.
Some customers wonder why they can’t just buy some cameras and door sensors and connect the gear to their smartphone. That may be possible, and if that’s your thing, you could save compared to buying a pre-packaged deal.
But, for the majority of consumers, I do not recommend this approach for a few reasons:
It depends upon your ability to connect and maintain the equipment.
You couldn’t add professional monitoring if you wanted to.
It’s more difficult to self-monitor without an app to centralize the camera feeds and sensor data.
Regional Security Firms May Offer a Lot
I tried to limit this post to companies offering nationwide service. Some regional companies offer great equipment and great service, too.
If you’re considering a regional firm in your area, make sure to check on the following issues:
Who monitors the company’s security systems? Is it local or third party? If third party, try to find out response times for the monitoring service.
Are you as the customer responsible for maintaining the equipment or will the company keep it up to date? If you’re responsible, work that into what you’ll be paying.
Does the system’s control panel have a battery backup during loss of electricity? What about backup for the WiFi connection? If not, the system could leave you vulnerable.
If you have the ability to self-monitor, can you integrate components you already own via Z-wave or another similar service?
What do local law enforcement officials think about the firm? Cops know a lot about home security. They may know the value of a local or regional home security outfit.
Need Proof of Results? Ask Your Insurance Agent
Our homes are personal. Having a stranger violate, steal, or destroy our homes, our property feels like a personal attack even if we’re not home and deal only with the aftermath.
People who have experienced that feeling know it can change the way you look at the world for a while.
It makes sense for homeowners (and renters) to seek some kind of protection against this danger. No system can guarantee your safety and the safety of your family.
But home security systems do get results. For proof, just ask your homeowners insurance company.
Many insurers will give you a discount on your home insurance premiums if you have a professionally monitored home security system. Insurers give this discount because they know a quality home security service will likely reduce the likelihood of a personal property insurance claim.
As you compare systems, consider what kind of security you need and whether what you’re buying fits your home.
Security is personal. It’s up to you to make sure you’re getting a system to match your life.
isolate a pinhole leak in the fuel filler neck and hose assembly
maintain and/or replace an evaporator canister
recognize the term “evaporator canister”.
“Evaporator canister” does return only 457 Google hits, leading one to question whether such a component even exists. (cf. “skyhook”, “snipe hunt”, and “key to the batter’s box.”)
The vehicle in question, a 2008 Ford Explorer, has 52,340 miles on it. The check engine light came on, a crisis that created an opportunity to do two things:
save a little money
spend a lot of money.
You can read about what to do regarding vehicle maintenance in the book (available now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other fine bookstores). Rule 1 is Don’t Go To The Dealer. More specifically, don’t begin at the dealer. You might have no choice if you need a specific original-equipment part for body work, but for repairs not restricted to a certain make and model of vehicle, start elsewhere.
There is a caveat, the exception that reinforces the rule. It’s OK to begin at the dealer if you’re willing to stay a few minutes with your vehicle and confirm that you don’t want this to turn into a full-on service appointment. If your vehicle’s clearly in the warranty period, it shouldn’t be a problem. If it’s on the fence, stand your ground and ensure that the dealer’s service department won’t charge you.
“On the fence” means you aren’t sure whether a certain component is still in the coverage period or not, which is definitely possible. Here are some examples from the warranty for said Explorer:
catalytic converter (8 years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first)
idle air bypass valve (5 years or 50,000 miles, unless you’re driving something other than a heavy duty vehicle, which is a truck from 8,500–19,500 pounds)
intake manifold (7 years/70,000 miles, if you have the long-term defects warranty, but only if your engine is at least 4 liters)
any other emissions-related part (15 years/150,000 miles, but only if you’re in California, the special state that might as well be an independent country for its refusal to accept the laws the rest of us seem to have little trouble crafting.)
So yeah, you might not know what’s covered until the dealer’s already in your pocket. Beware, especially since check engine lights are similar to dental cavities: ignoring them is never an effective way of getting the underlying problem to disappear.
It’s astonishing how many people will take steps to reduce their water bills by .35¢ a month, or shop around to save $5 on groceries, but won’t expend a little effort to save hundreds on automotive repair.
The dealership will tell you that only it can diagnose the check engine light and identify the code that arises. They’ll also charge you $90 for the privilege of determining what’s wrong with something they sold you in the first place. (Read that sentence again.) This is the same dealership that likely told you the $1100 desert protection package option is a vital add-on that all the smart drivers are getting this year, even though you live on Kaua’i.
In other words, a lie. If you don’t have a scanner of your own, find a lube shop that does and an employee who knows how to use it. Depending on what state you live in, you need to do this surreptitiously. The bureaucrats in some state governments, peons of the automotive-industrial cabal, prohibit everyone but dealers from using scanners legally. Which is not only counterproductive and immoral, it’s expensive.
Nor are state transportation department employees above going to a lube shop, asking for a diagnosis, then levying a fine. (The 1930s are alive and well in some industries.) So be careful. If you’re already comfortable at a particular lube shop, and they know you, or you can prove that you’ve taken your vehicle there before, ask if you can get someone to check the code on your vehicle. Obviously, you shouldn’t do this in front of anyone but a single technician. At the very least, they might be able to recommend someone who can help you. Be explicit about how you’re not there to jeopardize anyone’s livelihood.
With a diagnosis from a lube shop, which takes less than a minute, you’ve already saved the $90 service fee a dealer would charge. (At this point you’re welcome to tip the technician.) Yes, the dealer will refund the $90 if the work is covered under warranty, but why wager $90 to take that chance? Better to walk in armed with at least the results from the code reader.
The Explorer had an evaporation leak, which the tech classified as a small one. Small, by definition, means .004-.006”. (Anything smaller is hard to detect.) The initial course of treatment was a “smoke test”, in which a tech literally blows smoke up your vehicle to determine the genesis of the leak.
Lube shops don’t do this, so the next stop was a non-affiliated service center, which quoted close to $90 for a smoke test. However, the dealer charges about the same, but also tells you if the work is under warranty. Thus in this case it is time to head to the dealer, for a rare justifiable visit. A few hours later, the verdict: repair the leak in the fuel filler neck and hose assembly, and replace that mysterious evaporator canister. $1531.
Fortunately, a small evaporation leak isn’t enough to render the vehicle un-drivable, at least not for a few days. So off we go to comparison shop, after a tactical lie to the dealership’s service writer (“I’m broke until my next paycheck. I’ll take it home and hopefully have enough to come back and let you fix it next week.”)
Then to the service center. Their quote?
$818, at least ¾ of which is parts. Same guaranteed work, none of which voids the warranty. That’s more than a $600 savings, and no one had to turn off the faucet while brushing to accomplish it.
Only go to the dealer if you absolutely have to. In a situation like this one, doing so gets you the best of both worlds: as inexpensive a diagnosis as possible, plus a quote, which you can then use to shop around with and get a better price. Thus selling a liability, and leaving you more funds to buy assets with.
Greg McFarlane is an advertising copywriter who lives in Las Vegas and Lahaina – testament to the power of entrepreneurship. He recently wrote Control Your Cash: Making Money Make Sense, a financial primer for people in their 20s and 30s who know nothing about money. Buy the book here (physical) or here (Kindle) and reach Greg at [email protected].
I haven’t set up my own blog yet, I’m stuck on a decision I have to make before I can really begin. How do I figure out what topic I should blog about? There seem to be blogs on pretty much every topic imaginable, so I know I could write about any topic, but how do I figure out what kinds of topics people would be interested in reading about? -Christopher
This is such a great question, Christopher, and one that many people have. Here’s my encouragement to you and anyone else who is considering starting a blog and wondering what topic would be good for them to choose as their focus:
Take out a sheet of paper or open up a blank page on your computer screen and answer these questions. There are no right or wrong answers. Just write exactly what comes to mind in answer to these — anything and everything you think of.
What do you love?
What are your interests?
What are your hobbies?
What words come to mind to describe you?
What unique life perspective do you have?
What could you talk about for hours and not get tired of?
After you’ve done this exercise, then wait a few days and take out another sheet of people or start a new page on your computer and ask a few close friends and/or family members to go through the questions with you giving their answers and input.
At the end of all of this, you should see some themes emerging and this should give you some direction for where to go with your blog.
One important note: I believe that the most successful bloggers are people who solve a problem, provide hope, and/or meet a need. When you are considering what you should focus on when you blog, make sure that you are seeking to do at least one of these things through your writing. If not, I encourage you to go back to the drawing board.
Here are a few things to consider:
1. You don’t have to pick just one topic.
While there is definitely a place for a very niche blog, I think it’s much easier to choose a focus for your blog that encompasses at least a few different topics.
This not only makes your blog more appealing to a wider audience, but it also provides you with more blogging options and it makes it less likely for you to run out of post ideas within a few months!
2. The best way to learn is to just start writing.
I’m a big fan of just jumping in and learning as you go. Yes, it’s good to have an idea in mind of where you’re headed for the first few months. And no, I don’t recommend publicly announcing your blog when you haven’t even written one post. However, don’t sit around and spend hours agonizing over a topic; just jump in and start writing posts.
Here’s the thing: it’s hard to really know what works best until you just get out there and try it. I would have never guessed that I would love writing on some of the topics I’m passionate about today. And I certainly would have never guessed that so many people would have been so wildly interested in certain topics. Had I sat and planned and brainstormed and mapped out and goal-set and analyzed and never just DONE SOMETHING, I wouldn’t have figured out what I loved to write about or what the market wanted.
So truly, just go for it. Start writing posts. Try different kinds of styles of posts. Experiment with different topic angles. Keep learning, keep tweaking, keep observing what’s hitting a nerve and what’s not. And then keep doing what works and let go of the things that don’t work.
3. It’s perfectly acceptable to change your focus down the road.
When I started my first blog, I would have never dreamed that I would someday be writing about intentional finance, intentional family, and intentional business. At the time, we were just trying to make ends meet financially, I had just had my first child, and I was trying to figure out how I could make enough money from home to keep our family afloat financially while allowing me to still be a stay-at-home mom.
I was not in a position to be blogging about intentional finances, family, or business because I had little to no life experience in those areas. In the beginning, I tried out a LOT of different topics. In fact, my blog was so eclectic that I really couldn’t tell you what the focus of it was.
I had a lot of learning to do and a lot of life to live. But honing and sharpening my writing and thinking skills by blogging about whatever I was passionate about that day was one of the best exercises for a budding blogger. Not only did I quickly discover how little I knew, I also discovered there were a lot of topics I shouldn’t be blogging on — because I had no life experience to bring to the table.
As I continued to experiment, I slowly learned things that worked, learned areas I was qualified to write on, and developed a better understanding of what kind of blogging focus was a good fit for me. It took me a few years, though, and lots of writing and trial and error to find that happy medium.
Pick some topics you think will be a good fit for you, jump out there and start writing about them, and keep learning and tweaking as you go. I’m cheering for your success!
What advice do the rest of you have for Christopher? If you’re a blogger, how did you choose the focus of your blog? I’d love to hear!
Thinking Of Starting a Blog?
Over the years, I’ve received many requests from folks asking for help and information on how to start a blog and how to make money blogging. I’ve written about this in past years, but I wanted to let you know that I recently put together a comprehensive page on How to Make Money Blogging with updated information and links. I encourage you to check it out here if you’re interested in how to make money blogging.
I fix and flip a lot of houses (over 200 to this point), and I have bought 30 + rentals. One of the most often-asked questions I hear is how long does it take to fix up a house. This is a hard question to answer because every house and situation is different.
A small remodel job could take a couple of weeks, while a big job could take 6 months or more. The contractor you use can also affect the timeline. If you decide to do the work yourself (like I have), that also can change the timeline a lot. There are no set guidelines on how long it takes to remodel a house, but hopefully I can give you an idea of what to expect.
Who is fixing up the house?
I remodeled a house myself about ten years ago. I replaced the windows, doors, kitchens, baths, flooring, fixtures, and even took out a wall. I thought doing all the work myself would be a great way to save money. In the end, I lost money because it took me so much longer than it would have taken a contractor. It took me three times as long to do the work, and I did not do the best work because I was learning on the job. In fact, it took me over 6 months, and I was working on it nonstop. I had my worst year ever as an agent and investor because I decided to do that work myself.
When you do a remodel yourself, count on it taking at least three times as long as you think it will. I hire contractors and subcontractors for every project now. It can still take time to repair a house, but it is much better than doing the work myself. On a typical job, it takes my contractors from 1 to 3 months to complete a remodel. That time varies based on the number of people on a crew, the work needed, and how many subcontractors I use. Some contractors are also much faster than others, and using a general contractor can slow down or speed up the process depending on many factors.
The video below shows me walking through two of my current flips and giving timelines for what it takes to repair them.
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How does a general contractor change how long does it take to fix up a house?
A general contractor (GC) manages remodel jobs by hiring subcontractors or using his own crew. A GC will schedule, figure out, and budget for all the work to be done. There are pros and cons to using a general contractor.
Pros:
They can save time if the homeowner does not want to manage the project.
They have contacts for subcontractors to help with various parts of the project.
They have experience budgeting and estimating the time it will take to do a job.
They have experience handling any problems that come up on a job site.
Cons:
It costs more money to hire a GC because they charge for their oversight.
It can take longer to use a GC if they want to use their own crew for all of the work.
The more experienced a GC is, the more they can charge.
Some people can claim to be a GC when they have no actual experience remodeling houses.
In my experience, using a general contractor can be a good idea for people who have never dealt with repairing houses. A GC can handle the entire process, but they will charge for it. I do not use general contractors because I can manage the project myself, and I have my own sub contractors I can use on the job. I also can get my remodeling jobs done more quickly by managing them myself. One of the biggest problems I have run into with general contractors is that they want their crew to do all the work because they make more money that way. If one crew is doing all the work, it can take longer than if you have subcontractors or specialists who work on:
Roofs.
Windows.
Flooring.
Painting.
Plumbing.
Electrical.
HVAC.
Foundations.
Landscaping.
While I have contractors working on installing kitchens, baths, doors, etc. I can have my sub contractors working on other items, which speeds up the process.
How to find a great contractor.
How long does it take me to remodel my flips or rentals?
The time it takes me to remodel my houses depends on the house and the crew working on them. I have some contracting crews with four guys on them, and other crews that just have one guy. I will contract out work, and I also have my own employees who do work for me. The time it takes to complete the jobs depends on many factors, but here are some examples of how long it has taken:
On a recent flip, I replaced the kitchen, one bath, flooring, paint, backyard, fixtures, tore down a shed, replaced some trim, patched some holes, and made some other minor repairs. The crew had three guys on it, and it took them about 2 months. I would have hoped the work could be done in one month, but there were delays getting flooring in and a kitchen cabinet.
I was able to complete another flip in 2 weeks, but it only needed paint, some flooring, a couple of windows replaced, kitchen counters, appliances, and a new furnace.
On a bigger job, it can easily take 3 months or longer because problems always seem to pop up. I fixed up a manufactured house in the country recently that took 3 months to complete when we re-sided it, put on a new roof, replaced the HVAC, put in new doors, a new kitchen, new baths, new flooring, textured walls, worked on the garage, regraded a road, and did a lot of minor work too.
I have also had jobs take 6 months or longer because the contractor quit on me or messed something up. A complete gut-job remodel took almost a year because my bookkeeper accidentally paid the contractor before he was done; it took three months to get him to finish the job because he had already been paid.
The number of people on the contracting crew, how well you can manage the subcontractors, and the project size all affect how long it takes to complete a remodel job.
How can you save time remodeling a house?
I have 21 flips going at the moment, and I also have a couple of rental properties we are working on. It takes a lot of time and management to get all of these properties repaired in a timely manner. I have a full-time project manager who helps me with everything. But if you are only doing one or two projects at a time, there are many things you can do to speed up the repair process:
Never pay a subcontractor or contractor the full amount until all the work is done.
Stop by the project frequently (once or twice per week) to make sure work is being done and being done right.
Line up contractors and sub contractors well before the work needs to be done. Many people are very busy and cannot start work for weeks.
Try not to take on a huge project when first starting out.
Take your time hiring the right contractors.
The more subcontractors you can use, the more money and time you will save.
Problems will always pop up. I always expect things to take longer than I think they will. If I think a job should take one month, I will count on six weeks. New issues pop up, contractors don’t work as fast as you think they will, or you may even have to fire a contractor.
Conclusion
Figuring out how long it takes to remodel a house can be tough. It is even tough for general contractors to estimate how long it will take, and that is their job. It all depends on the quality of the workers, the project, who is managing the project, and what problems pop up. If you are flipping houses, remodeling it is only part of the process.