Red! Blue! Yellow! Black! Green! The colorful little blocks have been out for years and have entertained literally millions of children around the world! There are even adults who play with them!
We personally own about an 18-gallon plastic tub of them and our sons still have a great time playing and building with them. We've bought kits that build Star Wars ships, boats, cars and even an SUV but they usually throw away the instructions for those and build their own creations. Many of which I have taken pictures of to "keep" the project in our memories but free up the blocks to build something else.
One day our boys were quiet playing Legos in their room. At that time, we lived in a mobile home that had air conditioner vents in the floor. When I went to check on them, they had built a whole town complete with an electric generating plant! The "generating plant" was a little building that had a Lego fan on it and when the air conditioner in the house turned on...it turned the fan to generate electricity! How ingenious I thought! Even funnier was the houses and stores were all connected with thread used as power lines!
There were no parents/adults involved in their building...just two boys ages 6 and 9 playing quietly in their room. That told me that Legos would always have a place in our home and I hope they are in yours as well. If you don't have a set for your children, consider purchasing a set and let their imaginations run wild!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Are You Paying Too Much on Your Property Taxes?
I'm sure all of you have heard of the recent mortgage crisis but have you thought about how it affects you? You might not think that it is a great thing to happen, especially if you are one of the many who are loosing your home to foreclosure. Unfortunately, it does affect you...especially if you are trying to sell your home.
The mortgage crisis and following glut of homes up on the market due to foreclosure has driven the selling prices of many homes downward. It can is considered a "buyers market" for a home right now...which could mean more in your pocket when it comes to real estate property taxes.
The value of your home determines the real estate taxes, in most states. If the current market value is less than it was a couple of years ago, you may be able to get your tax assessors office to adjust that amount and decrease your taxes.
Most assessors' offices have certain actions you must take to get them to review your assessed value but a simple call to their office will give you this information. You will be requesting a review of the market value of your home. To make your chances better you may want to do a little research before you do so you are prepared to state your case properly. Here are some steps that might help:
First, check for inaccuracies on your current assessment. Have you removed an old shed? Is the square footage and acreages correct? Does it report the correct number of bedrooms and bathrooms? Be sure to correct anything that is wrong and make sure they know of your homes faults too. Is the home not 100% complete? Let them know, it means it is valued a little less.
Second, check your assessor's website or visit their office and compare homes in your area. Be sure to check as closely as possible to size of home, condition, and lot size or acreage.
Third, you can request a "current market analysis" from a local real estate agent. This tells you what the realtor believes the home would sell for in the current market. Also have the realtor to give you a list of homes that have sold in the last six months that compare to your home.
Lastly, when all else fails and you truly think your house should be valued less. Hire an appraiser. This may not be cost effective in the short time but might pay for itself over a few years...especially if the value difference is significant.
Remember, the more paperwork you have to back up your appeal, the better.
Have a great day!
Mavis D.
The mortgage crisis and following glut of homes up on the market due to foreclosure has driven the selling prices of many homes downward. It can is considered a "buyers market" for a home right now...which could mean more in your pocket when it comes to real estate property taxes.
The value of your home determines the real estate taxes, in most states. If the current market value is less than it was a couple of years ago, you may be able to get your tax assessors office to adjust that amount and decrease your taxes.
Most assessors' offices have certain actions you must take to get them to review your assessed value but a simple call to their office will give you this information. You will be requesting a review of the market value of your home. To make your chances better you may want to do a little research before you do so you are prepared to state your case properly. Here are some steps that might help:
First, check for inaccuracies on your current assessment. Have you removed an old shed? Is the square footage and acreages correct? Does it report the correct number of bedrooms and bathrooms? Be sure to correct anything that is wrong and make sure they know of your homes faults too. Is the home not 100% complete? Let them know, it means it is valued a little less.
Second, check your assessor's website or visit their office and compare homes in your area. Be sure to check as closely as possible to size of home, condition, and lot size or acreage.
Third, you can request a "current market analysis" from a local real estate agent. This tells you what the realtor believes the home would sell for in the current market. Also have the realtor to give you a list of homes that have sold in the last six months that compare to your home.
Lastly, when all else fails and you truly think your house should be valued less. Hire an appraiser. This may not be cost effective in the short time but might pay for itself over a few years...especially if the value difference is significant.
Remember, the more paperwork you have to back up your appeal, the better.
Have a great day!
Mavis D.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Can You Survive a "Recession?"
There has been a lot of talk about rather we are or are not in an economic recession. I've seen "recession" defined a hundred times and I'm still simply wondering what matter does it really make.
If our country is in a recession and you have planned for lean times. Are you debt free or close to it? Have you planned for lean times with a fully stocked pantry, a little extra cash "just in case," etc.? Do you work your occupation to the best of your ability and make yourself indispensable to your company? Do you know how to live a frugal lifestyle and actually enjoy it? Well, I believe you will be all right rather a recession hits or not.
After all, what can any of us really do about our national economy? Sure, we can buy "American" or "Made in USA" but other than that, we can only pray we choose wise leaders.
Another thing that will help our national economy is to take care of our personal economy. We can take lessons from those who lived during the depression and apply many of those lessons to our daily lives. I do not believe we should wait until the wolf is at the door to decide to prepare...we must expect him and prepare before he comes huffing and puffing. Those who successfully survived the depression and some who even prospered did so by preparing. Let us take lessons from them. Here are some first steps to take:
1. Establish an emergency fund of at least $1000 (for most)
2. Pay off debt...start with the smallest ones first and roll those payments over to the next one. This is consumer debt such as credit cards, gas cards, car loans, etc.....not the house.
3. Save 3-6 months living expenses - this will be easy once the debt is gone.
4. Invest 15% for retirement
5. Set up college funds.
6. Pay off house early.
7. Build wealth and have fun giving some away.
Do these steps sound familiar? These are the tips lined out by Dave Ramsey of Financial Peace University but most importantly, they work!
So don't loose your head and panic because Chicken Little said the sky is falling....simply get an umbrella and wait for the rain....after all, after the rain is the rainbow.
Have a great day!
Mavis D.
If our country is in a recession and you have planned for lean times. Are you debt free or close to it? Have you planned for lean times with a fully stocked pantry, a little extra cash "just in case," etc.? Do you work your occupation to the best of your ability and make yourself indispensable to your company? Do you know how to live a frugal lifestyle and actually enjoy it? Well, I believe you will be all right rather a recession hits or not.
After all, what can any of us really do about our national economy? Sure, we can buy "American" or "Made in USA" but other than that, we can only pray we choose wise leaders.
Another thing that will help our national economy is to take care of our personal economy. We can take lessons from those who lived during the depression and apply many of those lessons to our daily lives. I do not believe we should wait until the wolf is at the door to decide to prepare...we must expect him and prepare before he comes huffing and puffing. Those who successfully survived the depression and some who even prospered did so by preparing. Let us take lessons from them. Here are some first steps to take:
1. Establish an emergency fund of at least $1000 (for most)
2. Pay off debt...start with the smallest ones first and roll those payments over to the next one. This is consumer debt such as credit cards, gas cards, car loans, etc.....not the house.
3. Save 3-6 months living expenses - this will be easy once the debt is gone.
4. Invest 15% for retirement
5. Set up college funds.
6. Pay off house early.
7. Build wealth and have fun giving some away.
Do these steps sound familiar? These are the tips lined out by Dave Ramsey of Financial Peace University but most importantly, they work!
So don't loose your head and panic because Chicken Little said the sky is falling....simply get an umbrella and wait for the rain....after all, after the rain is the rainbow.
Have a great day!
Mavis D.
Tipster Tuesday - Bug Off!
The folks over at BeCentsAble host a Tipster Tuesday so I thought I would play along.
The one I heard, use Listerine (mouthwash) as a spray to keep mosquitoes and ticks off. Sounds simple enough...I wonder if the generic brands work.
Have a great day!
Mavis D.
The one I heard, use Listerine (mouthwash) as a spray to keep mosquitoes and ticks off. Sounds simple enough...I wonder if the generic brands work.
Have a great day!
Mavis D.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Extension Homemaker's Clubs
We live in a very rural area and due to the gas prices; I wanted to find things to be involved in that are closer to home. I have recently learned there is a 4-H group that meets near our home. In fact, we have a little community building out here that does tons of stuff throughout the year!
Tonight I attended a meeting of the TLC Club. The TLC Club is an "Extension Homemaker's club." Ask your grandma about them...she can tell you. They lend support to homemakers by having educational programs and activities throughout the year. They allow the ladies to get to know their neighbors better and help build strong communities.
Well, tonight we had a speaker talk about E-Coli and other harmful bacteria, where it came from, how it spreads and most importantly, how to protect our families. It was very interesting.
A short meeting and then refreshments followed the speaker. It was very nice and I had a good time getting to know all of these women and hear of their hair-raising tales of trying to catch mice. Some of the stories were really quite funny!
Yes, I was the youngest person there but I look forward to learning from these ladies in the future. I hear they get together on Wednesday mornings to quilt too!
Have a great day!
Mavis D.
Tonight I attended a meeting of the TLC Club. The TLC Club is an "Extension Homemaker's club." Ask your grandma about them...she can tell you. They lend support to homemakers by having educational programs and activities throughout the year. They allow the ladies to get to know their neighbors better and help build strong communities.
Well, tonight we had a speaker talk about E-Coli and other harmful bacteria, where it came from, how it spreads and most importantly, how to protect our families. It was very interesting.
A short meeting and then refreshments followed the speaker. It was very nice and I had a good time getting to know all of these women and hear of their hair-raising tales of trying to catch mice. Some of the stories were really quite funny!
Yes, I was the youngest person there but I look forward to learning from these ladies in the future. I hear they get together on Wednesday mornings to quilt too!
Have a great day!
Mavis D.
Coleslaw Dressing
Have you ever tried finding the perfect coleslaw dressing? It is very difficult. Some like it more sour and some like it sweet. I have always liked the Kraft coleslaw dressing but haven't found a recipe that compares too much. Therefore, this week I am trying this one. Why not try it with me?
1 1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 tsp celery seed
1/2 tsp seasoned salt or Creole seasoning
1/4 tsp black pepper
Combine all in a jar and shake well. Refrigerate until ready for slaw. Toss with shredded cabbage and carrots. Makes about 2 cups.
1 1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 tsp celery seed
1/2 tsp seasoned salt or Creole seasoning
1/4 tsp black pepper
Combine all in a jar and shake well. Refrigerate until ready for slaw. Toss with shredded cabbage and carrots. Makes about 2 cups.
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