Wanda Holmes

  Nowadays, many are choosing to live in their homes longer.  As a result, a growing number of homeowners are investing in home improvements they can enjoy themselves.  

One of the best home improvements homeowners can make is replacing  tired, old, faded siding.  According to the National Association of Realtors, replacing your siding offers an 80 percent payback or return on your investment.

One reason that new siding is such a solid home improvement investment is it instantly enhances the curb appeal of your home. There's nothing quite like the warm feeling of driving up to your home every day and admiring its beauty.  

Siding also is a critical link to the well-being of your home. Siding is the first layer of defense against the elements, protecting the walls and interior of your home from moisture, heat and cold.

From wood clapboard and brick used widely to side homes decades ago to today's innovative materials, such as patented Ultrex pultruded fiberglass used in APEX siding and trim, siding materials have evolved to deliver higher performance, more cost efficiency and enhanced aesthetics.  With so many choices available to homeowners today, it's important for homeowners to do their homework when shopping for home siding.  Here are seven tips to consider when shopping for home siding:

1. Do your homework. Not all siding options are created equal. There's a huge difference between lower cost vinyl siding products and high-performance fiberglass siding. Lower priced options often come with tradeoffs, such as a higher risk of damage in a severe storm from hail or wind, faster color fading, or lots of maintenance (repainting, caulking, etc.). Premium siding products may cost more initially, but may be far less expensive and hassle-free over the course of homeownership.

2. Have a plan. Now is the time to coordinate other exterior elements with your new siding and trim to give your home a more contemporary, updated look and feel. Consider new energy-saving windows, such as Integrity windows, a new garage door, new roof shingles and enhance your landscaping through the use of pavers, wall systems and perennial plants and shrubs.

3. Get referrals. Ask your neighbors, co-workers and friends for referrals of remodelers who specialize in replacing siding.  Interview several remodelers and always get detailed estimates before committing to any remodeler.

4. Visit homes. Replacing siding isn't like replacing an appliance. You may only do this once or twice in your lifetime. To make sure you get exactly what you want, make sure to visit homes that have recently been resided by your contractor or remodeler. This will help you compare how different types of house siding actually look on a home.

5. Take your siding green. When replacing your siding, use siding material that is made from sustainable materials, such as sand, which will reduce the use of harmful chemicals and paints needed to manufacture and maintain it.

6. Select your colors. Choosing a color for your new siding may be the most difficult decision you'll have to make. The good news is that today's top-of-the-line siding offers a wide variety of bold colors from which to select. In contrast to traditional wood and fiber cement siding that requires painting and caulking every few years, new pultruded fiberglass siding offers an acrylic finish that is thicker and more durable than paint, and it resists chipping and fading. This allows homeowners to enjoy the satisfaction of their new siding with virtually zero maintenance.

7. Better moisture management. The number one thing you should expect of your new siding is it should protect your home from the elements, especially moisture. Unfortunately, some types of siding, such as fiber cement, wood and stucco, are more prone to moisture because they trap or absorb moisture behind the siding material. Instead, look to a siding that is inherently resistant to water.  Then, look to how that siding will manage moisture - behind the siding, when it's up against the wall of your home. A siding system that provides a continuous, natural drainage plane (moisture drains harmlessly away), and allows air to circulate to provide natural evaporation is critical to decreasing trapped moisture, which creates rot and mold.

With a little bit of elbow grease, and everyday household ingredients, your kitchen appliances can look (and smell) like new for years to come.
 

Dishwasher:   Most homeowners believe that the regular use of a commercial rinse aid is enough to keep a dishwasher clean. Melissa Glover, an appliance specialist for Lowe's stresses that regularly cleaning the seams and liner of your dishwasher is also imperative to its effectiveness. "Over time, residue and food particles build up, and can affect the outcome of your wash cycle. Bacteria buildup can also cause lingering, unpleasant odours." Glover recommends using a scouring pad dipped in baking soda to remove residue and stains from the interior surface and crevices of your dishwasher. Next, fill the detergent pocket with lemonade powder (yes, lemonade) and run a regular cycle (or cleaning cycle). The ascorbic acid in the powder will help to safely remove any remaining buildup, and will leave your dishwasher smelling clean and fresh.
 

Oven/ Range: Cleaning an oven can be a tough job. However there are natural and effective alternatives for cleaning even the toughest baked-on spills. Start by loosening any baked-on food inside your oven using a plastic spatula. Next, squeeze the juice from 2 lemons into an oven safe dish, and throw in the lemon remains. Turn on your oven and bake the lemons/juice for 30 minutes at 250 degrees. The citric acid will help to loosen any residue that may still be inside your oven, while releasing a fresh lemon scent. Using the rough side of a scouring sponge dipped in baking soda, scrub away the remaining debris, and wipe the oven clean using a cloth and warm water. You'll be amazed at how fresh your next lasagna will taste, after being baked in a naturally cleaned oven.
 

Refrigerator:   It's hard to believe that the cleanliness of your fridge can impact the taste and lifespan of your non- perishable foods. Glover further explains that cleaning your refrigerator monthly with natural ingredients can dramatically extend the life and quality of your produce. Start by removing all of the food from your refrigerator and discarding items that are aged or expired. Combine ½ cup of baking soda with 1 tbsp of vinegar and stir to form a thick paste. Apply a small amount of paste to a soft scouring pad, and scrub away any stains that may exist. Follow by wiping the refrigerator clean with a damp sponge (an old toothbrush can be used on small spaces and crevices as well. ) Shelves and drawers should be removed for cleaning if necessary. Don't forget to vacuum the undercarriage of your fridge, and to wipe down the outside using a cloth with warm water and vinegar. The same steps can be followed to clean your freezer, however you'll need to work quickly and use hot water to rinse. Keep a small carton or bowl of baking soda at the back of fridge to help keep it fresh.

(NC) With recent statistics suggesting that more Canadians are in debt and taking longer to pay it off, saving for the future might seem next to impossible. But personal finance experts say that if you have the right support and resources, digging yourself out of the red and saving for the future might not be as difficult as you think.

"There is a huge misconception out there that working with a financial advisor is only for those who have a lot of money," says Wade Stayzer, the vice president of retail and investment services at Meridian, Ontario's largest credit union. "But the reality is that working with a trusted financial advisor is the first step to getting your finances on track - no matter what your bank balance looks like."

A trusted financial advisor can coach you on ways to get out of debt sooner and minimize the amount of interest you're paying on your current debt. And very importantly, they can help you create a realistic budget to ensure you're living well within your means. They can also help you put a plan in place to save for big ticket items like a first home or renovations, as well as save for the future.

Meridian offers tips to help you tackle your debt and save for your financial future.

• Create a personalized financial plan: Work with a trusted financial advisor to create a plan. Be honest with your advisor and give them the full picture, making sure to include everything, such as daycare and commuting costs. It's important to meet with them at least once a year to re-evaluate your plan and make any adjustments necessary to keep you on track to reaching your financial goals.
• Be strategic: Pay off the debt with the highest interest rate first, while paying the minimum on the rest of your debts. Once that first debt is paid off, concentrate your efforts and funds in paying the next debt with the highest interest rate.
• Invest automatically: Saving for the future today isn't difficult if you put your savings on auto pilot. Many financial institutions provide pre-authorized contribution (PAC) plans, which automatically transfer funds from your chequing account into your savings investments on regular intervals. PACs are a great tool for contributing to RSPs and if you coordinate the withdrawals to align with your payday, the money won't even be missed.
• Make financial resolutions: Be more proactive about your personal finances and start getting organized for the new year now. Determine what your goals are and work with your trusted financial advisor now to build a plan that will set you up for financial success next year.
• Take advantage of other resources: You can get some great budgeting advice from a variety of sources including software programs that help you track your day-to-day spending.

"Many financial institutions like Meridian," says Stayzer, "also offer online household budget calculators that you can use to keep track of your expenses."

More information is available online at meridiancu.ca.

Attention editors: This article is for distribution in Ontario only.

Many people turn to surveillance cameras as a way to make their home and office more secure. There are so many different types of security measures on offer, however, that it can be hard to know which is the right type of equipment for your needs. This article explores the different security measures and tools available and what the advantages and disadvantages of each of them are.

CCTV cameras can be attached to the outside of the building, can be placed over the door step, can be placed inside or can be entirely hidden from view. There are even dummy cameras available that provide a good deterrent aspect but don't actually incur any additional cost of filming. All cameras that can be seen work well as a deterrent. A burglar is far less likely to break into a home when there is the chance they will shown doing so on video surveillance footage. CCTV cameras don't necessarily sound an alarm however if security is breached in some way. In this respect they may be able to film a crime being committed but they won't necessarily be able to put a stop to it. Having the footage available however does mean there is more chance of getting your things back if they have been stolen.

Burglar alarms are another way that people add security to their homes. These have a large number of problems however. First of all burglaries are usually very quick and the perpetrator can be long gone by the time the police or a security firm have arrived on the scene. Secondly the alarm can in some cases be stopped by simply locating the control panel and breaking it. Cats and other animals can also sometimes trip the alarm when they jump through an open window, which can cause problems for everyone.

The ideal solution is to have both surveillance monitoring of some kind as well as a motion sensor, this way you get the best of all worlds. If this stretches the budget too far however then it is better to simply go with some kind of camera equipment. This provides the best value for money in terms of security. In the past it was just the wealthiest members of society who were able to afford security equipment such as cameras, but these days the prices have come right down and now everyone can benefit. Nanny cameras and hidden indoor cameras are another very popular type of security surveillance. Camouflaged cameras can allow you to see things that you would otherwise not be privy to. Parents like to be able to check their nannies are caring for their children well, employers like to be able to check everything is just as it should be in the workplace.

Another scenario in which hidden cameras are ideal is for the use of gathering evidence. If you are being targeted or victimized, having hard evidence to show the police can mean something can be done. Without the proof however the police may be hesitant to take any real action. There is no doubt that cameras are a valuable and versatile security tool. Surveillance can assist in a number of different ways to keep everyone safe and free from harm. If you are unsure of what type you need the first step is to define what exactly you want the security camera for and then decide how much you are willing to spend.

When you search online you will find a host of companies offering surveillance camera equipment and monitoring devices. Make sure you buy from a reputable company with a good website. There is more choice online than in high street shops so it is best to buy your equipment here. From a wildlife camera to tracking devices, go online to find out what is available and get the best prices.

by: Kathryn Dawson 
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_6339.shtml