Lima beans are members of the vast bean family and native to Peru. The beans, also referred to as butter beans, have been in cultivation in their natural range for over 7,000 years. Lima beans were introduced into the United States in the 19th century and California is the main production center of the legume. Lima bean requirement for sun differs slightly with growth type of the plants. Does this Spark an idea?
Ligtht Requirement
As a warm-season crop, lima beans require temperatures of more than 65 degrees Fahrenheit for effective germination and plant development. All beans generally require full sun exposure for optimal growth. However, the climbing varieties of lima beans tolerate some amount of shade. But even then the plants need six or more hours of direct sun per day.
Required Temperature
Beans are poorly intolerant of frost and require warm and moist soil and air temperature ranging between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit for fast plant and pod development with early maturity. Lima beans are particularly sensitive to weather extremes and very hot weather over 95 degrees affects flower set and pod growth. Seed germination is poor in soil temperature of less than 50 degrees.
Soil Conditions
Lima beans adapt well to a variety of soil types except the ones that tend to crust after irrigation and rain. This crust impedes seed germination. Preferred soil types include muck soils and sandy or clay loam with the recommended pH ranging between 5.5 to 6.5. Avoid planting in very alkaline soil as this affects growth.
Plant Spacing
After selecting a site in a well-lit area with the right soil quality, space the plants adequately to ensure good light and sun circulation. Space the rows of bush type lima beans 2 to 2½ feet apart with three to four plants in every foot of the row. Plant the pole or climbing varieties in rows or hills spaced 3 to 4 feet apart. Provide sturdy trellises for pole beans for the plants to climb.
Explain to your insurer why a taxi was necessary to get home.
After your car breaks down, you still have to get home somehow. Though the cost of taxi fare after a mechanical breakdown isn't covered by standard auto insurance in the United States, certain types of insurance do allow for this expense in other parts of the world, so your success claiming this expense will vary by location and the type of policy you own. If you have breakdown or towing coverage, you may be able to be reimbursed for taxi fare.
Instructions
1. Verify you have valid taxi-reimbursement coverage. Check for benefits under towing, rental reimbursement or breakdown coverage.
2. File your claim with the insurer. Typically, you call a claims hotline number provided with your policy. You may also be able to file online or by another method spelled out by your insurance company.
3. Answer questions about the loss as your insurer asks them. Provide the date, time and location of the breakdown, as well as the cause if you know it. Advise that you incurred a taxi expense after the loss.
4. Provide the receipt for the taxi fare to your insurer. Typically, you can do this with a hard copy, fax or emailed image. You may be able to submit the receipt to your agent's office as well, if you have one.
Tags: taxi fare, your insurer, insurer Typically, this expense
Mobile homes made or sold in Texas must abide by the state's laws and regulations.
Manufactured homes are a lower cost option for many home buyers. These homes are easily relocated, come in a variety of styles and sizes, and are popular in rural areas. They are also less sturdy than traditional homes, making the laws and regulations regarding the manufacturing process especially important. Mobile homes manufactured in or delivered to Texas are subject to the rules and regulations of Texas and the federal government.
Regulation and Enforcement
The laws and regulations regarding the manufacture of mobile homes in or delivered to Texas is regulated and enforced by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). The rules and regulations are administered through the Manufactured Housing Board under Chapter 1201. The Manufactured Housing Board consists of five members who are appointed by the governor.
Chapter 1201
The Texas Manufactured Housing Standards Act is contained in Chapter 1201 of the Occupations Code, effective September 1, 2009. Chapter 1201 outlines the general provisions; the powers and duties of TDHCA; licensing requirements; information on inspections; monitoring; standards and warranties; prohibited practices; used and salvaged manufactured homes; enforcement provisions and penalties and disciplinary procedures.
Rules and Regulations
The Manufactured Housing Rules outlines the rules and regulations regarding the manufacturer of mobile homes according to 10 Administrative Code (Code), Chapter 80. For example, Section 80.20 of the Code states the manufacturer must provide printed instructions with each mobile home. At a minimum, the instructions must provide the information regarding the capacity, orientation and location of the stabilizing components of the unit. The printed information must be filed with TDHCA. It must contain the Design Approval Primary Inspection Agency's (DAPLA) approval stamps; the engineer or architect approval stamps and the installation manual effective dates. The manufacturer must provide any changes to the manual to TDHCA at least 30 days before the changes go into effect.
Manufacturer Requirements
Section 80.31 of the Code lists the requirements and responsibilities for manufacturers.
Manufacturers must submit a monthly report to TDHCA. The report must include the number of units manufactured during the preceding month with final destination shipping points in Texas. The report must detail whether each unit is transported in whole or in multiple sections; the name and license number of the destination retailer; and the HUD label number and serial number of each unit. If the manufacturer does not have a shipment for Texas, a monthly report must be filed stating there are no shipments. Manufacturers must include a Certificate of Origin and approved installation manuals with each shipment.
Federal Laws
Federal laws apply to the manufacturer of mobile homes sold in Texas. These laws and regulations are spelled out in the Housing and Urban Development Department's Title 24. Title 24 covers all aspects of mobile home manufacture, including wiring, room requirements, hallways, ceiling heights, carpeting, fire stopping, materials, smoke alarm requirements, fire testing, window and siding requirements, joints and connections, drainage systems, venting, air infiltration and more. In addition, Title 24 outlines enforcement procedures.
Purchasing an electric or solar attic fan may not provide the savings that homeowners expect. Installing roof ridge vents and more attic insulation are better options, experts say. Adding roof ridge vents can reduce summer air conditioning costs, prevent roof mildew and rot and keep your roof in better shape longer. Does this Spark an idea?
Cutting costs
Americans spend about $1,900 per year to heat and cool their homes, says Sarah Kirby, a North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service professor and housing specialist. "Consumers spend approximately 44 percent of their total energy costs on heating and cooling their homes," Kirby says.
To reduce that expense, some homeowners buy an electric or solar attic ventilator. This fan moves 1,000 or more cubic feet of air per minute, creating low pressure in your attic.
Electric attic fans, however, often increase energy consumption and cancel out any savings, unless the attic is not insulated at all.
Air leaks
By installing more roof vents, such as a ridge vent, you increase the possibility that most attic air will come from outside, says Tim Carter, a residential contractor in Cincinnati. If you have few vents in your attic, most of the air will be drawn from inside the house. A fan may actually suck air-conditioned air from your home into the attic.
If the air conditioner is working at the same time as the attic fan, cool air from your living space is being wasted in your attic, seeping through the attic access panel, drywall and holes in the interior wall top plates where plumbing pipes and electrical wires feed into the attic.
When the University of Central Florida's Florida Solar Energy Center tested homes, they found that air leaking from a home's duct system can cause negative pressures within the home's interior when the air handler runs. This might draw hot air from the attic into the air-conditioned interior, especially in Sunbelt state homes built on concrete slabs. Most air leakage in these homes is through the ceiling.
Hot, humid air outdoors can also enter the house, forcing your air conditioner to work even harder.
Roof Vents
Instead of installing an attic fan, Carter recommends using ridge vents on your roof. After installing a ridge vent, a homeowner might feel a temperature change, says Jerry Alonzy, a handyman working in Canton, Connecticut.
The prevailing winds and the amount of shade your house gets will also affect your results. A ridge vent installed in a very hot attic will have more effect than in a slightly cooler one. Ventilation decreases moisture year round, reducing roof mildew and rot, Alonzy says.
High Humidity
If you live in Florida, though, where relative humidity tends to increase at night, a vented attic may attract even more humid air, say Danny S. Parker and John R. Sherwin of the Florida Solar Energy Center. Many Southern homes have the cooling system's air handler based in the attic, usually poorly insulated with the greatest temperature difference of any location of the cooling system. It also has the greatest negative pressures, causing leakage into the unit.
Solutions
To reduce humidity, the center recommends checking the building's duct system and air pressure when some doors are closed, replacing an inefficient air conditioner and turning off an attic exhaust fan.
Turning off the exhaust fan reduces building pressure, causing a large decrease in the ventilation rate and indoor relative humidity, the center says.
Some homeowners are attracted to solar fans because they can operate for 50 years without needing repairs. They don't use electricity and are easier to install, but can be expensive. Prices start at $500 for a 1,200 square foot home, not including installation.
When the Solar Energy Center tested solar fans, however, it reported that if your attic is already well-insulated, the cost reduction is only about 6 percent, or 460 kilowatt hours each year.
Since most older homes have only 3 to 6 inches of insulation, beefing up the attic's insulation might be the best solution.
The federal Department of Energy recommends up to R-49, or about 16 inches of fiberglass insulation, for most attics.
Tags: ridge vent, your attic, Energy Center, ridge vents, Solar Energy
Popularized by the bold yellow Livestrong bands used to support Lance Armstrong's fight against cancer, rubber wristbands are now available in an almost limitless number of colors, featuring an array of meaningful terms. Due to the popularity of these wristbands, they can be a highly effective fundraising tool. By selling them as a way to meet your financial goals, you can not only earn some cash, but also draw some attention to your organization.
Instructions
1. Select a slogan. This slogan could be as simple as the name of your school or organization or as complex as a phrase that defines your mission.
2. Design your bands. Select a band color, or combination of colors, along with a font for your message.
3. Order printed bands. Select a vendor that specifically offers what you desire or can print your band at the lowest cost to increase your fundraiser profit.
4. Set a price. Consider the cost of the bands when setting your price, ensuring that they are affordable yet still profitable.
5. Select sellers. Enlist workers or students to sell the bands, or allow anyone who is interested to peddle them.
6. Market the bands. Create posters advertising your product, and place these in prominent locations to get the attention of potential buyers.
7. Sell out your product. While you can set an end date for your sale, you will make the maximum profit by offering your bands for purchase until you have no more left.
There are some unique and interesting things that you can do in South Dakota to celebrate the Fourth of July. Home to Mount Rushmore and Wall Drug, South Dakota is also the state where you'll find the geographic center of the nation, in Belle Fourche. What better place to celebrate our nation's birth than at its heart? Follow these steps to find out how you could spend the Fourth of July in South Dakota. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Attend a rodeo. There are at least three rodeos traditionally held over the Fourth of July in South Dakota. There's the Annual Black Hills Round-up in Belle Fourche, the Annual Bull Stampede Rodeo in Mobridge, and the Fourth of July Rodeo in Fort Pierre, which features a parade, 3 different rodeos and fireworks.
2. See the fireworks over Mount Rushmore. The annual event includes both an afternoon and an evening of entertainment and live music.
3. Participate in the Deadwood Whole Bench of Fun Auction.
4. Host your own Fourth of July barbecue and party, complete with fireworks.
5. Have a Fourth of July campout at one of the South Dakota State Parks.
Tags: Fourth July, South Dakota, Fourth July South, July South, July South Dakota
If it looks as though a tornado blew through the bedroom of the young man living in your house, take a few steps to get the room organized. Help him keep it that way with daily spruce-ups to put away toys and keep things in their places. An organized room is a must once the child is old enough to go to school. He'll need easily accessible spaces to store his schoolwork, work on homework and play. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Divide the room into sections: the closet, toy, dresser and schoolwork areas. Spend one day going through each section, discarding or donating clothing your boy has outgrown or worn out, getting rid of toys he no longer plays with and sifting through his schoolwork, putting last year's paperwork in its own pile.
2. Hang a second rod in the closet if your child is not quite tall enough to reach clothing on the higher rod. Use slim-line hangers to hang any dress shirts and pants in the closet to give him extra room.
3. Attach a coat hook to the inside or outside closet door so he can hang his bathrobe or towel from it. Use more hooks if you'd like so he can hang hats or his backpack.
4. Sort toys into storage containers by type. Have a bin for building toys, one for board games and one for cars or action heroes. If your child has picture books, store them on end in a bin, so he can flip through them easily. Look for bins with wheels so he can move his toys from room to room. Label the bins so both of you know what goes in which bin.
5. Store extra bed linens or out-of-season clothing in boxes that fit under the bed. Make further use of space under the bed by storing out-of-season sports equipment there too.
6. Divide schoolwork into binders. Have one binder for each subject for an older child or one large binder for everything for a younger child. Use an accordion file to store paperwork from previous school years.
7. Put a laundry hamper by the door so he'll remember to toss dirty laundry in it before leaving his room.
Find out what you need to know about insuring your home in Florida.
While home insurance laws tend to be standard across state lines, states like Florida have begun to enact changes to insurance laws in order to compensate for economic problems and disaster potential. Starting in 2009, lawmakers began changing home insurance laws in Florida, giving insurance companies the ability to raise rates to cover losses from hurricanes and from a weakening economy. These rate increases have been highly controversial, but insurance companies claim that they are necessary for them to have a backup in case of another catastrophe striking Florida. The Florida homeowner insurance laws thus make home ownership just a little more costly in the Sunshine State.
Florida Insurance Crisis
Prior to 2009, Florida home insurance laws were regulated to keep premiums fixed and make insurance costs manageable for homeowners. Beginning in 2001, the number of insurance companies in Florida started to drop as insurers left the state due to high risk. The storms that struck Florida between 2004 and 2006 left remaining insurance companies with more than 30 billion dollars worth of claims. As a result, insurance companies besieged the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation with requests to raise rates, which were then fixed to protect homeowners. Lawmakers in Florida began drafting legislation that would deregulate portions of the insurance industry and allow insurance companies to raise rates to protect their losses.
New Legislation
The 2009 legislation allowed insurance companies in Florida to raise rates as high as 10 percent each year. For the insurance companies, this is an essential to stay in business. Unlike insurance companies in some states, insurance companies in Florida have to calculate the risk of a major disaster such as a hurricane, which could leave them paying hundreds of millions of dollars in claims. In 2010, Florida lawmakers continue to discuss further increases in home insurance premiums. The insurance companies claim that prior legislation did not allow them to cover their losses in case of disaster and that the rate increase will make it possible for insurance companies to remain in business in Florida.
Fraud Reduction
Although the 2009/2010 legislation is most noteworthy for the rate increases, the bill has wider goals to reduce fraud within the insurance industry. Prior to 2009, Florida home insurance law allowed homeowners to request full payment for replacement damages, but did not require that the homeowner actually complete the claimed damage. In other words, a homeowner could file a claim for $4,000 worth of damage in a home, but then take the money and fail to make the repairs. This type of insurance fraud raises rates artificially for other homeowners, and the 2009 legislation allows insurance companies to monitor repairs more carefully. Additionally, the 2009 legislation changes the types of insurance discounts that homeowners can receive for protection against hurricanes. While the discounts are valid, the reality of the protection in homes often is not, and the law aims to prevent homeowners from taking advantage of discounts when they are not truly eligible for them.
Tags: insurance companies, home insurance, insurance laws, raise rates, 2009 legislation, companies Florida, home insurance laws
LIHEAP helps with heating costs, including wood for wood heated homes.
The U.S. federal government runs the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helping low-income individuals and families with heating fuel costs. Many charitable organizations also help people in need with their winter heating costs. Whether you use oil, wood or natural gas for heating, there are grants available to assist with winter fuel costs. Does this Spark an idea?
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
There are state and federal energy assistance programs for winter heating.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services runs the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that provides grants to families for winter fuel and heating costs. This assistance may come through an agency paying a utility bill for the family or in the form of grants made directly to individuals to buy heating fuels like oil or wood. To qualify families must have one member receiving food stamps, Social Security income or other public benefits or meet other poverty criteria. To apply for LIHEAP contact your state LIHEAP grantee office listed on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' LIHEAP website.
Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program
The Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program provides heating oil grants to low income families.
The website for the Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program says it has "delivered millions of gallons of discount home heating oil to poor and elderly households in Massachusetts and other cold weather states since 1979." The states included in the program are Alaska, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Maine, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. They also work with many Native American tribal communities. The program provides a one-time delivery of 100 gallons of heating oil to those in need. Approximately 200,000 households have been helped by this program. You can find information online or by contacting them directly.
Citizens Energy Corporation
88 Black Falcon Avenue, Suite 342
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
617-338-6300
citizensenergy.com
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army runs a heating assistance program called Heat Aid.
The Salvation Army has a year-round heating assistance program called Heat Aid for the elderly or disabled. They also sponsor local winter heating assistance programs regionally. To qualify for the Heat Aid program, you must have received a turn-off notice for your current heating service and be 60 years of age or older or have a medical disability. The program is only available in certain areas. You can find the Salvation Army Heat Aid office closest to you on the Salvation Army website or you can call the hotline for more information. Local offices often have additional funding for energy assistance available as well.
Salvation Army Heat Aid Hotline
402-898-5966
salvationarmyusa.org
Charitable Organizations
Charitable organizations also offer winter heating fuel assistance.
Local Saint Vincent de Paul branches help individuals and families with winter heating costs as well. For their assistance, call your nearest Catholic church or the national headquarters for St. Vincent de Paul and ask for the chapter nearest your home. Each church runs its own chapter and individual chapters have their own criteria and qualifications.
The Catholic Community Services (CCS) runs offices in major cities across the U.S. to help low-income families with emergency bills. They are run by regional Archdiocese offices and must be contacted regionally.
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
58 Progress Parkway
St. Louis, Missouri 63043
314-576-3993
svdpusa.org
Tags: Salvation Army, winter heating, Citizens Energy, heating costs, Citizens Energy Heat, Energy Assistance Program
A 203K mortgage loan covers the cost of home repairs.
Although purchasing real estate to rehabilitate and sell is often a wise investment, buying a cheap home can come with drawbacks. In some cases, the property needs extensive repairs to be habitable. If an investor cannot afford to pay the costs of home rehabilitation out of pocket, an FHA 203K loan can make paying for repairs less stressful by rolling the cost of home repairs into the investor's mortgage loan.
Facts
To be eligible for financing with a 203K mortgage loan, a property must be a one- to four-family dwelling built a minimum of one year prior to the borrower's 203K loan application. The additional funds for rehabilitation must remain in an escrow account that the borrower can pull from to make repairs to the property. An investor cannot borrow more than 100 percent of the projected value of the home after repairs. Thus, if the investor purchases a home for $70,000 and intends to rehabilitate the home to increase its value to $100,000, he cannot borrow more than the $30,000 difference to pay for rehabilitation.
Function
The goal of the 203K mortgage loan program is to help rehabilitate homes in less than desirable districts. By allowing investors additional funds to repair these homes, the government hopes to attract stable buyers to previously objectionable areas. The more families that purchase homes in a given zone and properly care for those homes, the higher the property values of the surrounding houses climb. Thus, over time, 203K loans can transform an entire community, changing it from the "bad part of town" to a family-friendly neighborhood.
Benefits
Home loans under the 203K loan program are still FHA loans. An investor is entitled to all of the benefits of a standard FHA loan, such as a 3.5 percent down payment and lower credit requirements, in addition to a few additional perks. To obtain FHA financing, the property a borrower intends to purchase must undergo a strict evaluation to ensure that it meets safety and habitability requirements. This is a problem for borrowers who want to repair damaged homes and resell them for a profit. With the FHA 203K loan, however, safety and habitability issues won't prevent loan approval as long as the borrower prepares a repair proposal that includes budgeting for problem areas.
Considerations
A borrower cannot simply borrow an additional $30,000, claim to need it to repair her home and then spend it elsewhere. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires borrowers to get a professional estimate of the cost of repairs and provide that estimate to the lender. The escrow account containing the additional money loaned through the 203K program is based on a contractor's assessment of the cost of rehabilitating the house.
Effects
The lender disperses the 203K loan in two payments. One payment arrives as soon as work begins and the final payment arrives after the repairs are complete. The repairs must be completed within six months of the date the borrower received the loan. If the borrower requested a 203K loan in excess of $15,000, the repairs and modifications must pass an inspection to ensure that the home is safe, habitable and meets all FHA standards. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the lender holding the loan note can refuse to disperse the final 203K payment to the contractor until the work meets FHA quality standards.
Slate is one of the most durable and popular materials used in construction. For this reason it works as well on a tiled roof as it does on a bathroom floor. Like all tile however, slate can be prone to mildew and mold particularly if it is installed in a high moisture area like a bathroom, a basement or a kitchen. Fortunately, slate mildew can be cleaned using basic household products. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Fill a bucket or basin with warm water and add about 1/2 cup of mild laundry washing detergent.
2. Dip a sponge into the laundry detergent solution and use it to scrub the surface of the slate. Get in and around all the crevices in the slate, paying special attention to any grout between the slate tiles.
3. Rinse the slate with warm water and wipe it with a clean dry cloth. If mildew remains on the slate go to Step 4. If you have removed all the mildew from the slate move ahead to Step 7.
4. Fill a spray bottle one fifth of the way with household bleach, and add warm water until the bottle is full.
5. Spray the bleach solution on the slate and the grout making sure to get any areas of heavy mildew. Allow the solution to sit on the slate for 2 minutes.
6. Scrub the slate with a sponge dipped in warm water. Dry the slate with a clean dry cloth. Repeat this until all the visible mildew is gone from the surface of the slate.
7. Fill a spray bottle three-quarters of the way with white vinegar. Add water until the bottle is full.
8. Spray the vinegar and water solution liberally over the slate and any adjacent grout. There is no need to wipe or rinse after spraying the vinegar. The vinegar is a natural deodorant and disinfectant and will inhibit the future growth of mold and mildew.
Austin regulates how residential fireplaces are used and constructed.
Article 11, Chapter 25-12, Title 25 outlines the residential building code for the city of Austin, Texas. Among other technical instructions, this section of legislation regulates the design, installation and maintenance of fireplaces in residential dwellings. The city prohibits fireplaces to be installed in hazardous locations, and all accessories must be used and installed according to the manufacturer's specified instructions.
Factory-Built Fireplaces
According to Chapter 18, Section 1803.1, Article 11 of Austin's Residential Code, fireplaces built in factories must be tested in accordance with United Laboratories Standard 127, and should be listed and labeled as such. The code also states that hearth extensions on factory-built fireplaces must be distinguishable from the floor surrounding it. A factory-built fireplace cannot use an unvented gas log heater unless it has been specifically listed, labeled and tested for that type of use in accordance with UL 127.
Fireplace Stoves
Chapter 18, Section 1805.1, Article 11 of the city's Residential Code requires fireplace stoves to be installed, tested, listed and labeled in accordance with United Laboratories Standard 737. Fireplace stoves and room heaters that burn solid fuel must be connected to chimney flues.
Noise Reduction
According to Section 25-12-12, to reduce outdoor-to-indoor noise levels by 25 decibels, a residential fireplace must have a "well-fitted" damper. To reduce outdoor-to-indoor noise levels by 30 decibels, a vented fireplace cannot be used.
Masonry and Pellet-Burning Fireplaces
Fireplaces used for masonry must be built according to the same standards as factory-built fireplaces, according to Chapter 18, Section 1802.1, Article 11. Austin's Residential Code mandates that fireplaces fueled by pellets must be listed, labeled and installed according to manufacturer's specifications.
Tags: listed labeled, accordance with, Chapter Section, Residential Code, with United Laboratories, accordance with United, according manufacturer
Skirting or underpinning adds a finished look to a mobile home. It helps keep cold air out, providing insulation, and keeps animals out from under the home. A stucco finish is attractive and can be installed easily. Stucco is naturally a gray color; you can also mix some colors into the stucco or paint it after it has dried for a different look. You can choose from several different textures for the stucco finish to complement your home. Does this Spark an idea?
Preparing the Surface
When applying stucco, you must have a solid skirting in place. If your mobile home lacks an underpinning or skirting, you'll need one installed as your first step. The underpinning can be constructed of concrete, concrete blocks, brick or wood. Since stucco is primarily a finish, it should not be relied upon for strength. Therefore, applying stucco over a soft underpinning such as foam insulation will result in a skirting that is easily damaged.
If your stucco application is over wood, you will then need to cover the area with roofing felt. Next you will cover your skirting with stucco netting. The netting is a 17-gauge metal and it will hold your stucco in place against your skirting material.
First Coat
Prepare the stucco according to manufacturer's directions. Using a flat, finishing trowel, apply a coat of stucco to the mobile home skirting, pressing it firmly into the netting. The first coat of stucco should be between one-fourth inch and one-half inch thick. After the stucco has been applied, "scratch" it using a plasterer's rake. The scratches in the stucco should be approximately one-eighth inch deep and two inches apart and running horizontally across the length of the skirting roughly parallel to the ground. Keep the first coat moist and allow it to cure and dry over a period of at least 36 to 48 hours. Do not allow it to dry too quickly; mist frequently if the weather is hot or dry.
Finishing Coat
After the first coat has dried completely, apply the finishing coat to your mobile home skirting. Once again, prepare the stucco according to manufacturer's directions. If you want to add color pigment to the stucco, do so now. Dampen the first coat of stucco before applying the finishing coat. The finishing coat should be between one-eighth and one-quarter inch thick. Apply the desired texture to the finishing coat. Like the first coat, the finishing coat should be kept damp over the next several days so it can dry and cure slowly. After the finishing coat has dried completely, caulk any joints if needed. Allow the finishing coat to cure for six weeks before painting, if desired. If painting the stucco, be sure you use paint made specifically for use on concrete and coordinate the color with your mobile home.
Tags: finishing coat, first coat, mobile home, coat stucco, your mobile, your mobile home
Owing back taxes to the IRS is a huge financial burden because you need to make regular payments or have your paychecks garnished. Paying for higher education while you owe back taxes can be nearly impossible for some people. Thankfully, students who owe back taxes to the IRS are still eligible for financial aid.
Federal Aid Eligibility
Owing back taxes to the IRS will not affect your eligibility for federal student aid. The U.S. Department of Education does not consider many debt-related factors in your eligibility for aid. The only disqualifying debt would be if you owed a refund on a federal grant or were in default on a federal student loan.
Applying for Aid
Like all other people trying to receive financial aid, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out what aid you will actually receive. Federal aid is distributed based on the difference between what your family can afford to spend on college each year and how much the college costs. If the difference is large, you may receive grants. Otherwise, you will probably only get a work-study job or student loans.
Private Student Loans
When you do not receive enough financial aid through the federal government, state agencies and your school, one option is to get a student loan from a private lender. In this situation, owing back taxes could hurt your chances of qualifying. This is because private lenders consider your credit score when determining whether to issue a loan. An unpaid tax lien will damage your credit, so unless you have otherwise stellar credit, you will probably not qualify on your own. If you get a creditworthy cosigner to apply with you, you may be able to qualify.
Considerations
When you apply for financial aid, the FAFSA does not consider your back tax payments when determining your income available for college. Therefore, your estimated family contribution may be far higher than you can afford. If you do not get enough financial aid, appeal the decision with your school and ask for a professional judgment review based on your excessive tax bills. If that does not help, you will need to get another job or take out additional student loans to make up the difference.
Tags: back taxes, consider your, does consider, enough financial, federal student, Owing back taxes, student loan
When you file a property damage claim with an insurance company, but you don't fully own the property that was damaged, you may need to have the insurance check endorsed by the bank or lien holder. This means that you will not receive the money to pay for repairs or replacements until the insurance check has been endorsed, which can take time. Here's get that done.
Instructions
1. Verify that the amount of the insurance check is the amount promised to you when you filed or completed your claim. If there is any discrepancy, do not send this check to be endorsed; instead, send it back to the insurance company and ask them to correct their mistake.
2. Call the bank or lender to let them know you need to get your insurance check endorsed. Find out if they have a specific protocol to follow regarding this type of procedure, and advise them as to whether or not the check is made out to both you and the lender.
3. Read the paperwork you received when you obtained your mortgage, auto loan or other type of financing. There may be language in the contract or agreement that pertains to insurance claims. For example, some lenders will require that you obtain a certain number of estimates for repairs. Make sure you have followed the requirements exactly.
4. Visit the office of the lender if there is one nearby. This is the fastest way to get an insurance check endorsed, and the check will be processed within a few minutes. Even if you bring it in, however, there may be a waiting period or "hold" until the money from the insurance check is released.
5. Mail the insurance check and required paperwork if there isn't a local office. This extends the amount of time that will lapse between the day you receive the check and the day you receive the money. However, the lender should be able to give you an estimate of how long it will take.
Do-it-yourself electrical repair is an economical and fun way to do home repairs. When you have a switch, outlet or lighting problem, repairing it yourself is a nice and convenient way of saving money. You can do the basic stuff yourself, but when it comes to something big, you should at least consult a professional to make sure you're doing it correctly for safety reasons. When working with electricity, always be sure the power is off before you touch any wires. Does this Spark an idea?
Tools Of The Trade
You should have the following supplies before starting this project: straight screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, needle nose pliers, wire strippers, electrical tape and wire connectors in small, medium and large. The following items are optional: a multi meter, which is an electrical tester (you use test leads and touch them to the wires to check if they have electricity in it) and a tick tracer, which checks to see whether there is an electrical current present (just touch the wire with the tip of the tester; it tests right through the insulation.)
Wire Basics
In order to know what is going on, you need to know what the wires are doing. The green wire is a ground wire. It is for your safety; always make sure it is connected to your device or to your electrical box. The white wire (or any colored wires with white stripes going down the length) is a neutral wire. It is also a grounding wire, but it is grounded at the transformer. Do not ground this wire. It is the return for your hot wire. Any other colored wire is a hot or live wire. Some hot wires do not carry current all of the time, like an outside light that only comes on when it's dark. They should be considered potentially hot; therefore, you should treat it as if it is a hot wire.
Replacing Switches, Cords and Outlets
Before removing any covers, be sure the breaker is off. Remove the cover and loosen the item from its electrical box and pull it out of the box. If you have a multi meter or tick tracer, check the wires to be sure the electricity is turned off. If you can, take a picture of how it's wired before you remove any wires; it will help you remember the order of its original state. Next, remove it and take it with you to purchase a replacement part. When you get the replacement, wire it up the same way the original was wired, put it all back the way you found it, replace the cover and turn your breaker back on.
Replacing a cut cord is easy because it isn't electrified. Examine your appliance to see where the cord enters. Take only the screws out that you need. Once you get inside, you can see how the cord is connected (take a picture for reference if necessary). Strip the insulation off of your wires with the wire strippers approximately ½ inch from the end and reattach the cord to the appliance. Sometimes it's easier to strip the wires inside the appliance as well and use a wire connector to reattach the wires. If you do, be sure to wrap them with electrical tape in order to avoid wire connection shortage. Put your appliance back together and plug it in.
Tags: electrical tape, know what, make sure, multi meter, take picture, tick tracer
If you own a home, chances are you can think of a few things that need repairing or replacing. From something as small as worn-out carpet to complete remodeling jobs, home improvements are part of almost every homeowner's ultimate plan. Because many of these repairs can be costly, people often consider taking out a home improvement loan to fund the expenses of their renovations.
Function
To receive a home improvement loan, as the name suggests, the loan funds must be used to make improvements to a piece of property that is owned by the borrower. Any modifications, repairs or renovations that are intended should also increase the overall value of the property. Remodeling projects, room additions and pool installations are among the types of home improvements.
Types
A home improvement loan is an unsecured (meaning the borrower does not provide any collateral) personal loan and is typically designed for short-term use. Although many homeowners consider using the equity in their home (called a home equity loan) to complete their home improvements, a home improvement loan does not require the homeowner to tap into her home's equity.
Benefits
The fact that a home improvement loan does not require a homeowner to use his equity is what borrowers often find most attractive. In addition, home improvement loans often take less time to process than home equity loans. The interest rate is usually fixed and, depending on the length of the loan, typically offers low monthly payments that are paid off in an average of 3 to 5 years.
Considerations
When comparing your options for financing your home improvements, make sure you understand that the interest you pay on a home improvement loan is not tax-deductible. If, on the other hand, you opt for a home equity loan, the interest you pay on that loan is indeed tax-deductible.
Warning
Because a home improvement loan is unsecured, it tends to attract borrowers with less than perfect credit. As a result, many lenders may not promote these types of loans and may try to persuade you to move over to a home equity loan. Depending upon your specific needs, a home improvement loan may or may not be the best choice for you, so make sure you consider all of your options before committing.
Tags: improvement loan, home improvement, home equity, home improvement loan, home improvements, equity loan
People often finance home repairs with cash-out refinance loans. These loans work similarly to other mortgage products except that lenders usually charge higher interest rates and impose tougher underwriting guidelines on these loans. However, if you have trouble financing your home repairs, the Federal Housing Administration offers a special rehab loan that many people use as an alternative to regular refinance loans.
Cash-out Refinance
When you take out a straight refinance loan, you use the loan proceeds to payoff an existing mortgage. On a cash-out refinance, you use some or all of the proceeds for another purpose, such as repairing your home. Lenders sell most refinance loans to government-sponsored Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and these entities buy straight refinance loans on which the borrower can finance up to 95 percent of the property value. On cash-out refinance loans, these entities limit to loan-to-value ratio to 80 percent. Therefore, if you do not have a lot of equity in your home, you may not qualify for a cash-out refinance loan.
203(k) Loan
The FHA insures 203(k) rehab loans that you can obtain from lenders that partner with the FHA. You can use an FHA rehab loan to finance major repairs but you cannot use it to finance purely cosmetic changes, such as installing luxury upgrades. Unlike a regular refinance loan, the FHA bases your loan amount on the after-repair value rather than the current value. Furthermore, you can borrow up to 100 percent of the after-repair value of your home with a 203(k) loan. Lenders typically do not finance homes that need major renovations but you can use a 203(k) loan to finance a home that needs major structural repairs.
Drawbacks
The FHA insures lenders against borrower default and you have to pay for that insurance through monthly premium payments. Therefore, these insurance costs significantly add to the cost of the loan. Furthermore, you can only use a 203(k) loan to finance one-to-four unit family dwellings. However, you cannot finance a condominium if more than 25 percent of the units in the same complex are being financed with FHA loans. Furthermore, you can only finance owner-occupied condos. Additionally, many lenders do not offer these loans, so you may find it hard to obtain a 203(k) loan.
Alternatives
Cash-out refinance mortgages and 203(k) loans both involve significant closing costs. If you cannot afford to pay these upfront fees and lack the equity to roll the cost into your loan, you could finance your repairs with a home equity loan. These loans usually involve higher interest rates but lower closing costs than refinance mortgages. You could also finance the repairs by taking out a home equity line of credit in which case you just draw on funds as and when you need the money during the repair process. However, equity lines have variable interest rates so in the long-term your monthly payments could rise whereas you can get a fixed payment on a refinance or a 203(k) loan.
You can run a computer repair business right from your home
Running a computer repair business can be easy for the candidate who knows the ins and outs of all computer types, software and hardware. This can be done in your free time or expanded to be a full-time job. Being profitable is important. One way to keep an upper hand on increased profit is to run the business from your home. This will keep you from having to pay rent and utilities on a business location.
Instructions
1. Determine the types of services you will offer. There are several areas involving PC repair that you can specialize in. Software, hardware, computer upgrades, virus removal, and computer configuration are just a few examples. You would want to choose some or all of these services that you are most comfortable with. Do you know fix laptops? Are you familiar with different operating systems? There may also be some services and computers that you are considered an expert in, and you can specialize in this area.
2. Create a budget for your business. You would want to determine all of the start-up costs. If you already have money saved, start a list of things you will need to start your business and try to budget under that amount. For example, it would be beneficial to set up a separate phone line in your home for business use, and you may need to buy some furniture or tools. Do you plan on hiring any employees? What kind of database system will you use? Find the best option and budget for it.
3. Set up an area in your home to run your business. You will want a separate location in your home that will be designated for your PC business. You can use a garage or a separate room. Have a second phone line installed for the business use. You will need a desk and chair, as well as the work area for your tools. Depending on how you decide to manage your client database and information, you may need a second computer for storage. You will also need general office supplies.
4. Advertise your business to draw in clients. You will need to take marketing into consideration. No one will come to your business if they don't know you exist. However, marketing for your new business can be cheap if you are creative. You could put an ad in the local newspaper or create fliers. Announce your grand opening with a 10 percent off coupon, for example. You can also take your new business to the Internet. Try setting up an account for your new business on a social networking site, and spread the information via email to contacts that you already know.
Tags: your business, your home, will need, area your, business will, computer repair, computer repair business
There are many noises associated with a muffler in need of maintenance, from rattling to popping under deceleration to a constant groan Some of these problems are easily repaired, others may require a professional, and some others are terminal and signal the need for a new muffler. These problems can be irritating and in some cases, dangerous--especially if your exhaust system decides to break loose and drag beneath your car in a shower of white-hot sparks.
Types and Function
A muffler's primary purpose is to silence the noise produced by a running engine, and it employs two primary means of doing so. Most mufflers contain a dense forest of fiberglass packing, which absorbs and dissipates the engine noise. Many performance applications use a baffled-style muffler and use a series of metal plates to modify sound. Baffled mufflers are fairly stout, but either of these can fail through either neglect or impact damage.
Metallic Rattling
Most stock mufflers employ a heat shield to protect nearby wiring and mechanical components. These exhaust shields are made of thin sheet metal and are designed to be held about 1/2-inch from the muffler by spacers. These heat shields can work loose over time, or can be dented by ground impact and left to rattle against the muffler surface. They sound like a tin can full of rocks when damaged, though they are easily repaired or replaced.
Exhaust Leaks
The welded seams that join the muffler to the exhaust pipe can crack over time, causing an exhaust leak. This is particularly prevalent on non-stock muffler installations that may or may not have been welded correctly. The solution is to re-weld the seam.
Be aware as well that the muffler itself may have developed a hole, due either to rust or impact damage. If there is no visible damage, check upstream at the catalytic converter or head-pipes.
Muffler Putty/Epoxy
Several products are available to silence exhaust leaks. The most widely used is muffler putty, which resembles orange toothpaste and hardens to fill leaking seams. Two-part epoxy like JB Weld can be used as well and may be suitable for larger cracks. However, neither putty nor epoxy should be used to repair large holes, as they will crack and fall free over time.
Repairing or Replacing
Some fiberglass-packing mufflers can be serviced by replacing the degraded packing with newer material. However, most mufflers are sealed from the factory and cannot be serviced, and so must be replaced..
When receiving a check from the insurance company following an accident, an individual can take his vehicle to any repair shop he wants. If the car is repaired for less money, he can pocket the remainder. The biggest concerns when repairing a damaged vehicle are preservation of the car's value and safety as well as compliance with any conditions of a loan or lease. Repairing the vehicle at a cheaper shop or fixing it yourself for less money and keeping the remaining proceeds may be harder than it sounds in certain situations.
Insurance Payout
Once the insurance company approves a person's claim, the insurer usually pays the claim either directly to the repair shop or as a check issued to the car owner. The payout process depends somewhat on the insurance company and a policyholder has the option of asking for direct payment. If somebody else is at fault in an accident, his insurer will pay for the repairs to the third party. This is the optimal situation since there is no relationship to the insurance company. The insurance company will not be able to dictate to whom the check goes and most third-party claims result in insurance companies making the check directly to the third-party claimant.
Using Proceeds
It may be tempting to use an insurance company check to cover a mortgage payment, pay down the car loan or put the proceeds toward other pressing expenses. If the money is not used to repair the car, the value of the car is reduced. If the owner has the misfortune of being involved in another accident, the damage reimbursement will be less since the value of the car is lowered by the previous unrepaired damage. Alternatively, if the policyholder uses the insurance proceeds to repair the original damage on the car, the vehicle's value is maintained when it is ultimately sold or traded in.
Lender or Lease Contract
Before making a decision to repair a vehicle on your own, check any existing lender or lease contract. There may be a provision in the contract requiring repairs to be made as long as a vehicle is still being financed or leased.
Instead of issuing a check directly to a car owner, some insurance companies may issue the check to the car owner and the lienholder. This requires the driver to mail the check to the financing company for a signature. A lienholder may also require an examination of the car to endorse the check. Usually, dealership personnel need to examine the vehicle and sign a statement certifying that the car repairs were performed adequately. Then the person must mail bills from the repair shop and pictures of the repaired car along with the check to the lienholder. Finally, the lender or bank will endorse the insurance check and return it so the car owner can pay for the car repairs.
Potential Issues
In the case of any subsequent accidents, an insurance company might choose to total the car if the cost to repair it exceeds the car's actual cash value. The insurance company would pay out the market value of the car, which might be substantially lower due to previous damage that was either unrepaired or poorly repaired, especially if the car was not brought back to its original condition.
Spinal cord disorders in dogs are extremely serious and require examination by a veterinarian. In some cases, a disorder will only necessitate prohibiting a dog from strenuous exercise. In other cases, prescription drugs and corrective surgery are the only viable treatments. Since the prognosis can dramatically change the treatment, it is important that owners relay physical symptoms to their veterinarian to help attain an accurate diagnosis.
Wobbler Syndrome
Wobbler syndrome, also known as cervical spondylomyelopathy, afflicts larger dogs such as Great Danes and middle-aged Doberman pinschers. In this disorder, a constricted spinal canal compresses the spinal cord too tightly. This disorder is degenerative if not treated immediately. A loss of coordination first occurs in the hind legs. Thereafter, the extra pressure applied to the back of the spinal cord can cause severe pain and damage to the hind cervical vertebrae. Paralysis of the hind legs can occur without treatment and can even spread to the front legs. The best treatment for wobbler syndrome is corrective surgery that will decompress the spinal cord. The procedure removes damaged disc tissue during the procedure and stabilizes the vertebrae.
Intervertebral Disc Disease
Intervertebral disc disease is a result of damage to the tissue that separates the intervertebral disc and the spinal cord. This damages the intervertebral discs through excessive wear or possible ruptures. The tissue that separates the disc from the spinal cord can also rupture, causing extreme pain. Neck pain, inability or unwillingness to walk and muscle spasms are effects of the disorder. If a dog has a mild case of intervertebral disc disease, veterinarians will sometimes suggest that the dog rest for several weeks in order for the dog's body to repair the damaged tissue. More severe cases require medication and corrective surgery. Smaller dog breeds called chondrodystrophoids are susceptible to the disease since they have a form of dwarfism. Common examples of chondrodystophoid breeds are beagles, dachshunds and cocker spaniels.
Chronic Degenerative Myelopathy
Chronic degenerative myelopathy is caused by a erosion of nerve impulses in the spinal cord. The effects of inadequate nerve impulses will be a loss of coordination in the hind legs and will lead to weakness in the hind limbs and then paralysis. This disorder is most common in German shepherds and in middle-aged medium-sized dogs. There is no known treatment for this disorder. If a dog has this disorder, veterinarians will either prescribe medicine to slow down the progression of the disease or help owners adjust in order to make the dog as comfortable as possible.
Save money and fix your Denon DVD player yourself.
Save money and extend the life of your Denon DVD-555 player by fixing it yourself. Denon as a company is known for the quality and reliability of their consumer electronics. The Denon DVD-555 is no different, a single-disc DVD player with progressive scanning and low harmonic distortion for precise audio playback. The DVD player is extremely reliable, but can experience problems during usage depending on the area of storage, maintenance or even power surges. Most of these problems can be fixed with simple steps and tools.
Instructions
1. Unplug the Denon DVD-555 for at least 20 seconds, then plug it back into the outlet. If the player is kept in a confined space it may overheat due to lack of circulation and dust. If it doesn't power back on after the time-out period, then unscrew the casing using a screwdriver. Remove any excess dust with the dust blower.
2. Clean the DVD lens with a DVD cleaning kit if the DVD being played is not scratched or dirty. If the disc is broken or chipped, then do not place it in the DVD tray; it can damage internal components. Remove the casing of the Denon DVD-555, and remove excess dust with a more forceful compressed air can if playback impaired.
3. Check the region of the DVD player, and make sure it matches the DVD. This player is not multi regional, so not all DVDs will work. Verify the compatibility of DVD type to the DVD player.
4. Check the parental lock status, and try another disc to make sure the player is not defective. Adjust the settings to accept higher rating moves and programming. To clear the password, enter the default password of "4737" if the password is lost or not known.
Broken windows are an unfortunate fact of life for homeowners everywhere. Fortunately, this is a repair that the do it yourself homeowner can easily do. You don't have to cut the glass yourself; bring the measurements to your local hardware or home improvement store and they will cut the glass to fit for you. Then follow the steps below and in no time at all you'll replace the glass in your windows. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Remove the broken window glass. Wear safety glasses and work gloves.
2. Remove old putty and glazer's points. Break the putty into small pieces to avoid splitting the wood frame. If the putty is difficult to remove, use a heat gun to soften it. Soften a small part of the putty at a time, and use a wood chisel or putty knife to remove it. Make sure to remove all traces of the old putty.
3. Measure the opening, measuring from inside edge to inside edge. At the hardware store, have the glass cut to about 1/8 inch less than the dimensions of the opening.
4. Apply a thin layer of linseed oil to the raw wood inside the frame in the area where you removed the old putty. This will prevent the new putty from drying out too fast.
5. Put putty into the slot, kneading it until it is pliable. With the putty knife, apply a 1/16 inch layer of putty completely around the window frame, covering the area where you removed the old putty. Make sure the new putty is not too thick. This provides a cushion for installing the new glass.
6. Insert the new sheet of glass into the prepared frame. Press down firmly.
7. Place glazer's points about every 5 to 6 inches around frame. Glazer's points hold the pane of glass securely in the frame. Lay the glazer's point flat against the glass and get it started into the wood by pressing on it with the putty knife. Then gently tap the glazer's points with the glazing tool to drive them into the wood frame. It doesn't take much pressure to drive the points into the frame; too much pressure can crack or break the glass. Take care to keep the flat side of the glazer's point firmly against the glass.
8. Insert more putty, kneading it until it is pliable. Roll some putty between your hands to make lengths the diameter of a pencil. Begin at one corner and lay the length of putty into the groove on top of the glazer's points. Apply all the way around the window.
9. Smooth out putty, using the glazing tool to smooth out the putty. Use long, even strokes and hold the glazing tool at a 45 degree angle. Don't spread it out too far from the frame; it shouldn't be visible from the other side of the window. To make the job easier, dip the glazing tool into linseed oil before you start.
10. Paint over the putty to seal it. Check the manufacturer's instructions to determine if you can paint it immediately or if the putty needs to cure for a few days before painting. Paint over the putty and over a fraction of an inch of the glass to seal.
Tags: glazer points, glazing tool, putty into, putty knife, against glass, area where, area where removed
Playmatic was a Spanish company that produced pinball machines from 1968 to 1987. Playmatic machines are revered by collectors and restorers because their play fields have a plastic coating that rarely wears out. The company produced 63 different pinball machines during the course of their business, 41 of them solid-state.
Late '60s
1968: Caravan, Racers
1969: Hit Line, Poker, Serenade
1970 to 1975
1970: Caddie, Viking
1973: Black Flag, Geisha, Magic, Play Time
1974: Chance, Gunner, Harem, Joker, Jolly Ride
1975: Apache, Caddie, Ducks, Tam-Tam
1976 to 1980
1976: Fantasy, Fandango, Fiesta, Conquest 200, New World
1977: Hangers, The 30's, Carnival, Speakeasy, Rio
1978: Space Gambler, Big Town, Last Lap, Chance
1979: Party, Antar
1980: Dixie, Super Win, Zira, Evil Fight, Attack, Black Fever
1982 to 1987
1982: Cerberus, Spain 82
1984: KZ-26, Nautilus, The Raid, Mega Aaton, UFO-X
1985: Mad Race, Rock 2500, Star Fire, Stop Ship, Trailer
Save money on heating bills by insulating the attic.
Financial assistance is available in the form of grants, partial rebate and reimbursement programs from various government departments in Prince Edward Island. Postsecondary students can find programs to offset the cost of living throughout academic study, and homeowners can receive assistance for completing home improvements.
Grant for Students With Dependants
The Canadian government provides financial assistance to postsecondary students with dependents who are enrolled in the Canada Student Loan Program. The grant is awarded in an amount of $200 per dependent for each month of academic study. Applicants must be enrolled in a postsecondary program with a minimum length of 12 weeks to be eligible, and dependents must be under the age of 12 at the time of application. To qualify, applicants must meet the low-income criterion, which is equivalent to an annual income of no more than $35,855 for a family of four in Prince Edward Island.
Government of Canada Building
294 Church St.
Summerside, PEI
Canada
800-622-6232
canlearn.ca
Prince Edward Island Debt Reduction Grant
The Prince Edward Island Debt Reduction Grant provides financial assistance in the amount of up to $2,000 for each year a student spends in postsecondary study, plus a grant of up to $2,000 for 1 additional year. The grant is used toward reducing the debt accumulated through the Prince Edward Island Student Loan program. If a student completes a 4-ear undergraduate program, she would be eligible for a grant of up to $10,000 to be applied toward outstanding student loans. This grant is only awarded for school years in which the student obtained more than $6,000 in provincial and federal student loans. Students must apply for this grant within 1 year of graduation from a postsecondary institution.
Department of Innovation
and Advanced Learning
Shaw Building, 5th Floor,
105 Rochford St.
P.O. Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8
Canada
902-368-4240
gov.pe.ca
Prince Edward Island Energy Efficiency Grant Program
The Prince Edward Island Energy Efficiency Grant program provides financial assistance for homeowners completing energy upgrades to their homes. The assistance is provided as a rebate program through which homeowners receive a rebate of 15 percent of the cost of the upgrades. The program will provide a rebate up to a maximum of $1,500. Applicants must complete an energy audit for their home to determine necessary home improvements. Upon completion of the energy upgrades an auditor will assess the work and help the homeowner submit an application for rebate. Improvements that qualify for rebates include air conditioning units, furnaces, water heaters, wall and attic insulation, thermostats and windows.
Island Information Service
P.O. Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8
Canada
902-368-4000
gov.pe.ca
Prince Edward Island Home Energy Low-Income Program
The Prince Edward Island Home Energy Low-Income program (HELP) provides financial assistance for additional energy savings upgrades. The provincial government reimburses qualifying homeowners when they complete caulking and weatherstripping upgrades to windows and doors throughout the home. Reimbursements are also provided for the purchase of programmable thermostats and low-flow shower heads. The provincial government also reimburses homeowners 100 percent of the cost of completing a home energy audit.
Island Information Service
P.O. Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8
Canada
902-368-4000
gov.pe.ca
Tags: Edward Island, Prince Edward, Prince Edward Island, provides financial, provides financial assistance, 2000 Charlottetown
Many Americans live in rural areas, and some of these small towns are low income or very low income areas. In 1949, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) authorized a rural housing grant program under Section 533 of the Housing Act of that year. Property owners can apply for these 533 grants, otherwise known as Housing Preservation Grants, to revitalize and repair their homes or rental properties. Native American tribes, nonprofit organization and local governments can also apply for funds to rehab multifamily rental units.
Identification
The Housing and Community Facilities Programs (HCFP) is the agency that administers the USDA Rural Development Housing Preservation Grants. Homeowners can apply for these Home Preservation Grants to modernize and update their aging homes and rental properties. For 2007, the U.S. government appropriated $10 million for the Housing Preservation Grant program.
Eligibility
To be considered a "rural" area, the town must have less than 20,000 people. To be eligible for the 533 grants, your income must fall below 50 to 80 percent of the median income in your local area. Also, the property must be occupied for at least one year before you can receive the grant. Renters can also apply for the grant, but their lease must still have at least five years left in the contract. The renter and the landlord must also come to an agreement that the new improvements will not cause the current rental price to increase.
Application Process
To apply for the Home Preservation Grants, you can send your application to the state or field director of the HCFP or the local Rural Development office in your area. However, many individuals apply through local public agencies or private nonprofit groups, which often package the applications for submission to the HCFP. These organizations are certified and trained by the HCFP. They screen applicants, determine financial eligibility and help the applicant complete the application process.
Considerations
The HCFP is supposed to respond to all applications or pre-applications within 30 days. However, obtaining a 533 grant can be difficult since each state must follow a specific mathematical formula to calculate eligibility. Individuals or organizations will receive the funds directly from HCFP when the application is approved. After you receive the funds, you must spend the money within two years on your renovation project. You maybe also required to account for the money spent and to submit a final report to the HCFP.
Benefits
Grant recipients can use the funds for a variety of uses. Some common uses for grant money include sewer, sanitary and waste water system repair; heating and cooling system repair; and foundation, roof or structural support repair. Homeowners can also add access for disabled persons, install more energy efficient windows, doors or insulation, or remove hazardous materials. Grant funds can also be used to update homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places or manufactured houses.
Tags: Preservation Grants, Housing Preservation, Housing Preservation Grants, also apply, apply these, Home Preservation
NM-B wire consists of two or three insulated conductors that are combined with a bare ground wire in a plastic sheath. It's important to use the correct type of sheathed cable for wiring your outdoor lighting or other wiring projects. Does this Spark an idea?
NM-B
NM-B cable is designed for indoor use in dry locations only. This type of cable should not be used outdoors or in any areas that are exposed to the weather.
NM-C
NM-C sheathed cable may be used in damp locations, but not where it will be continuously wet. It also should not be buried or exposed to the weather. NM-C cable can be used anywhere NM-B is allowed.
UF
UF (underground feeder) cable looks similar to NM cable types, but the construction is somewhat different and it can be buried directly in the ground. UF cable rated for exposure to sunlight can be exposed directly to wet weather conditions and is a good choice for outdoor lighting circuits.
The USDA Rural Development agency offers qualifying home owners living in rural areas help with home ownership. Rural home repairs and other help through grants and loans. There are also programs that help renters in rural areas with rent.
Instructions
1. Head to the USDA Rural Development website. Search for the loans and programs specific to your needs and qualifications from grants and loans to rental assistance. You can search by need and state by state location.
2. Find out if you qualify. Each state has grants and loan limits based on need, income and availability. Check your state's listing on the website to determine eligibility.
3. Qualify for a loan. The Direct Loan Program offered for rural residents allows many individuals to obtain loans that they otherwise would not qualify for. This enables individuals to get loans to buy homes in rural areas.
4. Use sweat equity. Sweat equity simply means that you as a home owner will help with the labor of building a home, offsetting much of the cost of buying a house.
5. Get repairs. The Rural Housing Assistance office offers low income individuals living in rural areas grants and loans to help repair their homes.
6. Look into the Rental Assistance program. This program is available to low income, disabled and senior individuals who need help meeting basic rent costs. Information on this program is found at a Rural Development office in your state.
Termite exterminators offer termite bonds--a type of service contract--for home owners that cover extermination services as long as you own your home. Some companies will offer a termite bond before your home is infested with termites, while others will only offer them after your home is infested with termites. Be sure to look at the fine print; check if the bond will still be good if the company declares bankruptcy but is still in business.
Initial Fee
There is large up-front fee for either the initial extermination or for the initial inspection of your home for termites. It will often be in the hundreds of dollars. However, compare that to the cost of replacing all of the wooden structures of a home because of termite damage. According to the National Pest Management Association, termites do $5 billion worth of damage to American buildings every year.
Future Fees
The exterminator then comes to check your home once a year for termites. If they have returned, the company should exterminate them at a fraction of the original cost. There is a yearly fee for the inspection. If you decide to sell your home, you may have to produce a letter of inspection from the company stating the building is free of termites.
Tags: your home, Bond Does, Bond Does Work, Does Work, home infested, home infested with, infested with
The most common reason for a Windows XP crash is a missing or corrupted operating system file. System files can become corrupted if someone tampers with them or if a virus infects the system. You can restore Windows XP to a previously working state by using the Windows XP's System Restore utility. Administrator privileges are required to use this utility. Once Windows XP is up and running again, update your anti-virus software and scan your computer.
Instructions
Restore Windows XP
1. Start your computer.
2. Press the "F8" key until you see the advanced startup options.
3. Select the "Safe mode with a Command prompt" option using the arrow keys, and then press "Enter."
4. If you have multiple installations of Windows XP, then select the version to restore and press "Enter."
5. Key in the administrator username and password and press "Enter."
6. Type "%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe" at the command prompt and press "Enter."
7. Click on "Restore my computer to earlier time" and then click on "Next."
8. "Select a Restore Point" to restore Windows XP to and then click on "Next."
9. Review 'Selected restore point:,' and then click on "Next." Wait for the process to complete and then restart your computer.
Tags: press Enter, click Next, then click, then click Next, your computer, Windows then
Manufacturers create ceramic tile in many styles and colors.
Companies construct mobile or manufactured, homes and move them to your land. In the construction process, the companies often use particle board for the flooring. This is the number one obstacle when putting tile floor in a mobile home, since particle board may be water resistant, but it is not waterproof, according to an article on the U.S. Forestry Service website. Therefore, preparing the floor by covering it with plywood helps create a solid foundation for the waterproof backerboard required for tiling. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Inspect the sub-floor. If it is particleboard or oriented strand board, cover it with plywood. Use 3/4-inch plywood, cut to fit the area. Screw the plywood into the floor joists with wood screws.
2. Cover the plywood with 1/2-inch cement backerboard. Start at the far side of the room and work out. Center the ends of the sheets of backerboard over the floor joists and secure it with screws or galvanized nails.
3. Mix the mortar or thinset you will use to adhere the tile to the backerboard according to the manufacturer's directions. When mixed with water, the thinset's consistency should mimic peanut butter.
4. Work from the backside of the room towards to door. Save the edges for last. Apply a baseball-size portion of the mortar to the back of one of the tiles. Spread it out evenly, covering all corners. This helps the tile sit flatter. Press the tile firmly onto the backerboard. Use the pre-printed grid on the board to keep the tiles square. Place a spacer at the edge of each tile to help keep the spaces between the tiles even.
5. Repeat the process until you have covered the entire floor.
6. Measure from the outside wall to the edge of the tile. Allow room for the spacer. Trim the tile to fit the area. Set the tile after cutting it with a wet saw or tile cutter. Allow the tile to set for 24 hours.
7. Mix the grout in the color you prefer with water. Make the grout consistency similar to pancake batter.
8. Remove the spacers. Dip a medium-sized portion of grout onto the tile. Spread it evenly over the tiles and fill in the spaces. Use a large, damp sponge and grout float and create smooth lines. Rinse the sponge often and keep wiping the tile until the grout fills the gaps.
9. Apply a sealant to your tile grout. This prevents moisture from seeping under the tile. Follow the application directions on the label for best results.
Tags: floor joists, particle board, Spread evenly, with plywood, with water
Tim and Jim were both tasked with cutting a tree down in a day. While Tim jumped to the task at hand, Jim spent the first couple of hours sharpening his axe. Jim ended up cutting the tree down faster and more efficiently. This story tells us that it is more important to do something right than to do it fast. It is also critical to keep your eyes focused on that long-term goal and work on the best strategy to achieve it. Efficiency expert and writer Stephen Covey says, "The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities."
Instructions
Planning and Prioritizing
1. Planning and staying organized is the key to productivity. When you have a comprehensive plan, you are less likely to feel stressed and will be better able to achieve your goals. It is important to establish the goals you plan to achieve. Once you have the goals defined, you must then develop a strategy to achieve them. Although defining goals is an important task, it is only part of the planning and prioritizing process. A bigger challenge is figuring out where to start and proceed. To achieve this, make a list of all the steps that you must carry out to achieve a particular goal.
2. A comprehensive list of tasks can make your goal look all the more overwhelming, so it is essential to prioritize the tasks. Make a list of criteria for each task to help you gauge its urgency and importance. In his book "First Things First," Stephen Covey talks about a time matrix. With this method, you categorize your tasks to fall under one of four quadrants:
Quadrant 1: Urgent and important
Quadrant 2: Important but not urgent
Quadrant 3: Urgent but not important
Quadrant 4: Neither important nor urgent
Ideally, you should learn to manage your work so you seldom have tasks in the first quadrant. However, crises may arise and some amount of fire-fighting may be needed. These are the tasks you would address as the highest priority. Next in priority would be tasks in quadrant two. Staying on top of these would help prevent tasks from getting into quadrant one. Tasks that land in quadrant three indicate unpreparedness and an inability to prioritize. Quadrant four includes tasks that generally waste your time and should be avoided. Minimizing and/or avoiding tasks in quadrants three and four enable you to devote more time to tasks in quadrants one and two and thereby stay efficient.
3. Although most of us seem to be serious about our appointments and meetings, other tasks often just float around unscheduled. How do we avoid interruptions and other quadrant-three and -four activities to stay focused? The best solution is to book your time. Book time for all your high-priority tasks and keep some open time every day for networking activities. Again, these should be important but not urgent activities in quadrant two, such as mentoring and relationship-building.
Another effective method is to schedule some "do not disturb" time every day. Have your team work with you to slot out this time and use it to tackle critical tasks that need uninterrupted focus.
4. An effective means of time management is to efficiently manage the peak and nonpeak productivity times in a day. More often than not, high-productivity time is early in the day. Early afternoons during the after-lunch haze tend to be less productive. Schedule meetings at this time to effectively utilize your time. This way both the peak and nonpeak productivity hours are managed to reap the best benefits.
5. An important and crucial aspect of planning and prioritizing is learning when and say no effectively. Although it is tempting to respond to the phone call from your friend, letting it ring while you tackle your priorities might be the smarter thing to do. However difficult it is to say "no" to an unnecessary meeting, that time is better spent on more critical tasks at hand. Learn to appreciate your time as well as get others to do the same.
Tags: your time, critical tasks, cutting tree, cutting tree down, goals important, important Quadrant