How To Keep Your Kitchen Knives Sharp

If you own kitchen knives, you better keep them honed. That's because a dull knife blade not only slows you down in the kitchen, but it can be more dangerous than its ready-to-cut counterpart, too.

In this brief, 2-minute video, you'll learn how to use a knife steel to keep your kitchen cutlery in top form.

Among the tips:

1. Hold your knife at a 20-degree angle to the steel for maximum effect
   
2. 10 swipes per side is sufficient to keep the blade straight
   
3. Mid-range knife steels are the best choice for most kitchens

Most knife steels don't actually sharpen knives. Instead, they straighten the microscopic teeth that make the knives work. And that's okay. Just remember use the steel every time you use your knife.

There's No Place Like (a Clean, Healthy) Home

After the cold winds of winter, it's nice to finally open the windows and freshen up the house with the scents of spring. And while opening those windows can feel good, one of the best feelings of spring is getting that clean feeling back. After all, some experts estimate that 40 pounds of dirt can pile up in your home over the course of just one year!

To help you start fresh this spring, this article offers you 10 simple ways to make your house clean and healthy.

Words to Live (and Clean) By

Tip #1: Clean regularly. It sounds simple, but it can be hard to implement and stick to when life gets in the way. There are a few things you can do to make it easier to stick to a regular cleaning schedule. The first tip is to actually design a schedule. Make a plan to tackle some of the biggest projects, like vacuuming or cleaning the bathroom–one each day of the week if necessary. You can also make sure the work is divided between all the members of the house; that way, the work doesn't fall onto one person's shoulders and children learn a sense of responsibility.

Tip #2: Eliminate clutter. One of the quickest ways to keep a clean house is to make sure it never gets too dirty or cluttered. To avoid it, make a point to quickly pick up high-traffic areas (like the kitchen, dining room, and family room) each night before heading to bed. You'd be amazed what a few minutes of straightening can accomplish. In addition, you can also keep a box ready for items that should be thrown away or donated. For more information on eliminating clutter and getting organized, check out our past article on strategies to get organized.

Make the Living Room More Livable

Tip #3: Dust down. Dusting can be a real pain…and can create a big mess with all that dust flying around. To help minimize the mess (and isn't that the goal in the first place?), remember to dust from top to bottom–starting with cobwebs near the ceiling and high shelves.

Tip #4: Buy plants. Plants can be pretty amazing. They help clean the air and constantly breathe oxygen into your home. In addition, they add a cozy, welcoming feeling to just about any room.

Kitchens and Bathrooms

Tip #5: Go chemical free. These days, more and more people are going chemical free for their cleaning products…and for good reason. As we reported last May in our article on toxic-free cleaning, the average household cleaner may include chemicals, fragrances, and dyes that can be irritating to your eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. If that wasn't bad enough, most conventional cleaning products are produced using a petroleum-based formula. That's right, petroleum. For more information on safe, natural cleaning products and for cleaning tips, visit www.simplyneutral.com.

Tip #6: Freshen towels. Wet towels can be a breading place for mold and mildew. Unfortunately, it's all too common to use the same towel again and again and again. To eliminate the potential problem, remember to change towels after just a few uses. You can also try to hang towels to dry near a heating element immediately after using them.

Windows to the World

Tip #7: Open often. We all like to seal up the house during the cold winter or humid summer days. But when the weather permits, don't forget to open up those windows and get the air moving again to clear out the stale air inside your home.

Tip #8: Clean screens. Most everyone hates doing windows–all those streaks can be a pain. Instead of putting it off, make sure you clean your windows at least every six months, inside and out. When you do, don't forget the screens. Dirt and allergens can really build up on the screens, which means they'll be blowing into your house every time you open your window.

Tip #9: Consider the curtains. Window screens aren't the only things capturing dirt and allergens. If you have heavy curtains that haven't been cleaned in a while, it's probably time for a good cleaning. While they're down, you may want to consider which rooms really need curtains. If you don't need them in a room for privacy or to break the harsh sun, you might consider eliminating the dirt trap altogether.

Final Thoughts

Tip #10: Get help. Let's face it–you're busy. Sometimes, the best step is admitting that you simply can't do it all by yourself. If that's the situation you face, it may be time to consider hiring a little help. The best news is that it doesn't have to cost you a lot of money. You can hire a house cleaner or even a local college student to clean every other week or even once a month. Better still, you can talk to the person about just doing the one or two cleaning jobs that take you the most time or are often overlooked. That way, you can keep the cost down, while keeping your house fresh and clean.

Remember, the best tip to follow is to do a little cleaning every day–even if it's something small. Whether you quickly straighten a room or replace the towels in the bathroom, a few minutes can go a long way to making sure your home is clean and healthy.

Five Ways to Whip Inflation When You Shop at a Warehouse Club

From Kiplinger: For a reliable bargain on everything from dog food to diamonds, head to a warehouse club, such as Costco or Sam's Club. These clubs limit their margins to between 11% and 14%, compared with 25% to 30% at supermarkets and mass merchants, according to Michael Clayman, editor of Warehouse Club Focus, a trade publication. Annual membership starts at $40 at Sam's Club and $50 at Costco. Both clubs offer upgraded memberships, starting at $100 a year, that give you a 2% rebate on the year's purchases.

But you won't save much money if you get sidetracked by the bling and the flat-screen TVs. Here's how to make the most of a trip to the warehouse (and spend the least).

Do your homework. Don't try to bone up on brands and prices amid the kids, the carts and the chaos. Comparison-shop online before you leave home so that you know which products and features you can't live without before you arrive.

Grab the deals. You can always count on finding a small but decent selection of electronics, fancy food, jewelry and brand-name clothing. But the treasures – say, a Kate Spade bag or Ralph Lauren coat – are here today and gone tomorrow. Snap them up right away or regret it later.

Be prepared to do it yourself. You're on your own when it comes to getting that hot tub off the warehouse floor and into your car (order online and the clubs will deliver). You'll do the installing, too.

Watch those portions. Warehouse clubs offer better prices because they sell in bulk. But it's no bargain if the food goes bad – or if you bulk up eating it. Studies show that "people eat more when there's more in front of them," says Ephraim Leibtag, an economist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The only way to save money and your waistline is to resist the temptation to race through an entire tub of rocky road.

Gauge gas prices online. Warehouse-club deals on gasoline are good but not always the best. Before you drive ten miles to Costco – and waste more gas while you spin your wheels waiting in line – check local gas prices at GasBuddy.com.

How To Replace Your HVAC Air Filter

In the two-minute video above, you'll learn how to replace an air filter from start-to-finish.  There's no need for tools and no need for experience -- the job is about as basic as home maintenance jobs come.
Air filters should be changed at least quarterly but it's okay to change on a monthly rotation, too -- especially if your home has shedding pets, or is under construction or repair. Just remember that not all air filters are created equal.
In this famous video, we see how $0.99 filters can fail to get the job done. Spending $10-15 for a filter that works is a better idea.
Save money by buying in bulk.

How To Remove Stickers And Adhesive-Based Price Tags From Just About Anything

How to Remove Stickers -- powered by eHow.com
Sometimes, price tags just don't want to unstick. No matter how hard you scrub and scrape, tacky residence stays behind. Turns out, getting "the stick" off your stickers isn't so hard when you have the right tools.

In this 2-minute video from eHow.com, you'll learn how to remove stickers and adhesive-based price tags from common household items including:

• Wooden furniture
  
• Glass vases and other glassware
  
• Plastic pieces
  
• Cardboard boxes

The best part? All the supplies you'll need are already in your home.

The Clock is Ticking!

Time is Running Out for Significant Savings!

Attention home buyers! Waiting to buy a home could cost you nearly $20,000 or more over a seven-year period if you time your purchase incorrectly. While the actual impact will vary depending on purchase price, the impact will certainly be significant because of stimulus programs scheduled to end in the coming months.

Economic turmoil and the real estate bubble have created significant opportunity for all those seeking to capitalize on the situation at hand. YOU Magazine will address the real estate purchase market and what people interested in both buying and selling a home need to know this month to take advantage of the current market conditions.

We also consulted with Michael J. Maher of "The Maher Team," one of the busiest agents in the country who sold 216 homes in 2009. With a degree in mathematics, he knows his numbers and the impact on both buyers and sellers.

As little as a few years ago, it would have almost been incomprehensible to expect that actions from Washington would impact decisions involving the purchase and financing of real estate. Well, that was then and this is now and the decisions people make or don't make stand to impact wallets across the country.

Before You Buy – Things to Consider

The pressure is on to buy in the first quarter of 2010, so what should buyers focus on before pulling the trigger? Maher recommends that buyers focus on three things that are either expensive to fix later or unable to change without buying another home. His three primary areas to focus on are what he calls the three Ls: "Location, Lot and Layout."

When considering location, use technology like GoogleMaps™ before visiting a home to save both time and gas. Mapping allows you to view the property from different angles, see if the home is on a busy street, or if it offers the other requirements you need. For example, if you need a large yard where the kids or dogs can play, a tool like GoogleMaps™ will help you eliminate some homes immediately.

While it is relatively easy to get caught up in the aesthetics, don't do it. Overlook items you can change later like paint, carpet and other cosmetic details. Narrow your focus down to two or three homes and "all things being equal, focus on location, lot and layout."

Selling a Home?

If you are selling a home and want to make sure you can get it off the market for time crunched buyers, remember that today is what Maher calls a "price war beauty contest." Sellers need to be focused on having their home priced competitively and making it most appealing upon inspection. Sellers also should consider paying for a home warranty to alleviate any concerns cash-strapped buyers may have about paying for repairs after closing.

More than anything else for both buyers and sellers this year, Maher suggests that people not let the money savings opportunities pass them by. "Anyone that qualifies is in a no-lose situation – they are buying at the bottom of the market, economically, historically, seasonally, market-wise and interest rate-wise. The perfect storm has arrived and the pearls and treasures have floated to the surface."

Gifts from the Federal Reserve Are on the Clock

MBS Purchase Program
Mortgage rates have been artificially low the past fourteen months due to assistance from the Federal Reserve and their mortgage backed securities purchase program. Regardless of the expert, when asked what the impact has been to lowering rates, the range is from 0.50-1.00% or potentially more. The Federal Reserve reiterated in its January statement that they will be ending the program on March 31st.

While it is uncertain to what degree interest rates will immediately rise starting April 1st, the overwhelming trend will be higher. Many experts are predicting that rates will start to rise in advance of April 1st.

Tax Credit
Low mortgage rates are not the only stimulus program ending in less than three months. Credited for boosting a major share of home sales at entry level, first time home buyers have been taking advantage of a tax credit of up to $8,000 for over a year.

Repeat purchasers were also given incentive in November with the availability of up to $6,500 in post-closing cash. Tax credit qualifying buyers have until April 30th to get under contract and must close by June 30th. If home buyers miss either date, it will be a costly one.

HUD and the FHA Tighten Up
HUD announced in January that the upfront costs to obtain an FHA mortgage are going up for any applications received April 5th or later. The cost of the up-front mortgage insurance premium (MIP) will increase for all case numbers effective April 5th by 0.50%, from 1.75% to 2.25%.

What Waiting Will Cost You
The costs of missing out on the combined incentives add up quickly for those who fail to act by the deadlines. The first incentive scheduled to end will impact buyers on a monthly basis in the form of higher monthly payments. On a $200,000 mortgage, a 1.00% increase to interest rates could increase a monthly payment by $125 a month or $10,500 over a seven-year period. Obviously, the longer the loan remains in place, the greater the impact of the potential loss.

The second potential loss that will be incurred would be waiting to obtain a mortgage guaranteed by the FHA. In the same example of borrowing $200,000, the upfront cost would be an additional $1,000, or .50% of the amount borrowed. While this cost may be financed, the impact to a monthly payment would also be an increase of approximately $5 a month and have to be accounted for later upon the sale of the property.

Finally, the third potential cost in waiting will be the end of the tax credit for qualified buyers of a primary residence, up to $6,500 for repeat buyers and up to $8,000 for first time home buyers.

Add all this up and the cost of choosing to wait could run up to nearly $20,000 or more depending on the purchase price of a home and the type of mortgage applied for. So, even if someone believes that home prices may fall from where they are today, even with a modest decline in price, the cost of waiting could outstrip any benefit of finding a home for less.

What Now?
The first step for anyone in shopping for a home is to reach out to Ginger Proffitt (me).  I will assist in getting you pre-approved and knowing what you can qualify for will minimize any stress from a financial perspective and let you focus your attention on finding the perfect home.

The Right Way To Make Your Bed When Your Home Is Listed For Sale

Well-made beds aren't just for comfort -- they're for presentation, too. Especially when you're selling your home.  A pristine bed conveys an image of cleanliness and order to potential home buyers and that can help you get more of your asking price at the point of negotiation.

When homeowners don't take the time to make a bed, buyers wonder what else around the home is getting neglected.

And there's a proper way to make a bed, too.

In this 15-step video from Howcast, you'll learn how to start with a stripped down mattress, add bedding, pillows and a blanket, and end with the hotel-quality look that today's home buyers expect.  The alternative is to leave a bed sloppy, reducing your home's overall appeal.

To make a bed the right way takes less than 2 minutes. When your home is listed for sale, make making the bed a part of your daily routine.