If you haven't inspected your property lately for potholes, cracked sidewalks and clogged storm drains, grab your coat. There's still time before the next big snow. Paul Weaver, construction manager at Level Green Landscaping, shares a few potential hazards you should check out before snow removal season, to keep everybody who visits your property safe. ![]()
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Indoor Plants & Greenery for the Holidays
12/31/2018
This time of year, it's wonderful to bring holiday lights and greenery into the house to remind us of our gardens and add sparkle and cheer to our homes. Green is the color of renewal and regeneration, and for centuries evergreen trees and greenery have been used in winter celebrations as a symbol of everlasting life. From swags of evergreen to miniature table-top gardens, here are some ideas we love for decorating your home with live plants and fresh-cut greens and flowers.
Forcing bulbs is one of the easiest ways to brighten up the darkest weeks of the year. Image: Pistils Nursery.
Honor winter with a garland, anywhere in your home. This mix of fir, pine and arborvitae branches is accented with dried citrus, but you could decorate with anything that cheers your soul, from ribbons to seashells to toy animals. Image: One Kings Lane.
Fiddle-leaf figs are wildly popular for many reasons, including the fact that they bring a huge, bright pop of green indoors. Apartment Therapy has some good tips for keeping your fiddle-leaf fig happy and healthy. Image: Making It Lovely.
Norfolk Island Pines are wonderful evergreen houseplants-an excellent low-maintenance, small-footprint substitute for a Christmas tree. Image: White Flower Farm.
Decorate a centerpiece or add adorable details to a gift presentation with rosemary and holly berries. Image: Monrovia.
Make the most of winter sunlight by moving your houseplants to your brightest windows, and add even more beauty with pots of forced bulbs. Image: A Garden for the House | Delicious Living.
The post Indoor Plants & Greenery for the Holidays appeared first on Home Outside. Water conservation is a hot topic here in San Diego. In fact, according to the City of San Diego, permanent water use restrictions remain in effect regardless of the drought situation. With that in mind, it's obvious that when considering an irrigation system for your home or business landscaping, the smart move is to take advantage of the skills and expertise of a landscaper with experience in designing and installing systems that will be especially effective for your property. In this issue, the San Diego landscaping experts with Juniper Landscape Company will talk more about why it makes good common and financial sense to leverage the expertise of a professional who knows how to design and install an effective irrigation system.
To make sure your irrigation system is installed the right way, your landscape provider will make the effort to measure your yard and designate specific zones to make sure each area is receiving the right amount of water needed.
For expertise in designing and installing the right irrigation system for your San Diego yard, call the Juniper Landscape Company.The above information should make it clear that installing an effective irrigation system is no DIY project. With a professionally designed system, you can be sure that the right amount of water will be delivered at precisely the right time. For more information about how our expert team can work with you, call Juniper Landscape Company at 619-334-9464 or you can reach us via email. The post For Smart Water Conservation, Let a Pro Install Your Irrigation System appeared first on Juniper Landscape. In July 2017 Oregon began rolling out their OregonSaves program - essentially an auto-enrollment Roth IRA for employees who are not covered by employer-sponsored retirement plans. The plan has a 5% default contribution rate, which by default increases by 1% per year until it reaches 10%. Employees can choose to change that rate or opt out of the plan entirely. The first $1,000 of contributions is essentially kept in cash, while further contributions go into a target-date fund. Anek Belbase and Geoffrey Sanzenbacher at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College recently took a look at how the plan is doing (e.g., how many potential participants actually participated, how many decided to increase or decrease the default contribute rate, etc.). It's interesting reading about what might end up being a prototype for similar programs in other states.
Other Recommended Reading
Thanks for reading! What is the Best Age to Claim Social Security?Read the answers to this question and several other Social Security questions in my latest book:
Disclaimer:Your subscription to this blog does not create a CPA-client or other professional services relationship between you and Mike Piper or between you and Simple Subjects, LLC. By subscribing, you explicitly agree not to hold Mike Piper or Simple Subjects, LLC liable in any way for damages arising from decisions you make based on the information available herein. Neither Mike Piper nor Simple Subjects, LLC makes any warranty as to the accuracy of any information contained in this communication. I am not a financial or investment advisor, and the information contained herein is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. On financial matters for which assistance is needed, I strongly urge you to meet with a professional advisor who (unlike me) has a professional relationship with you and who (again, unlike me) knows the relevant details of your situation. You may unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of this email (or by removing this RSS feed from your feed reader if you have subscribed via a feed reader). Environmentally Friendly Grill Cleaning
12/29/2018
![]() Having an outdoor kitchen in Arizona is about as important as having a swimming pool. It is a feature that can be enjoyed year round and is a great way to gather family and friends together for a meal. But most homeowners begin to lose interest in their grill when it's time for a good cleaning. Either they decide to stop using the grill as often or they decide to use a harsh chemical to try to avoid the effort involved in scrubbing the grill clean by hand. But now there is another option that is simple, does not require harsh chemical and is environmentally friendly. The Only Items You Need Are Already In Your KitchenAll you need to easily clean your grill grates are a few items that are already in your kitchen and cost almost nothing. First, you need a lemon and some table salt. Next, carefully slice the lemon in half, from end to end. It is important to cut the lemon from end to end so that you have a larger surface area. Then, holding the lemon by the rind side, squeeze it gently so that it produces enough juice to moisten the entire cut surface. Next, sprinkle about a tablespoon of salt evenly over each half of the lemon and wait long enough for the juice to moisten the salt to help it adhere to the surface of the lemon. Finally, gently scrub the grilling surface with the salt covered lemon just as you would with a sponge. The acidity of the lemon and the grit of the salt will break down any grease and loosen any partials which were cooked onto the grates. After scrubbing the entire grilling surface with the lemon, use a damp towel to wipe the grate clean and another towel to dry the grates. A Tip For A Non-Stick Grilling SurfaceTo make grill clean-up even easier there is a simple and affordable trick to make the grates non-stick. Simply cut a regular potato in half and after the grill is fully heated, rub the cut side of the potato across the entire grilling surface. This will coat the grate and keep food from sticking. If you do not have a potato a halved onion or a halved lemon will work, but both of those items can leave a small amount of flavored residue on the grilling surface. Try both of these tips to make grill clean up easier and safer for your grilling surface and the environment. With 2019 just around the corner, you may have a resolution to fix your finances. If 2018 left you in debt, stressed out, maxed out, freaked out or just ready for a change, read on. You would be AMAZED at what you can change in a year. The person you are today, does NOT need to be the person you are 12 months from now. There are so many ways to go about doing this: loans, refinancing, a second job, starting a blog or becoming a freelance writer, transferring credit card balances, seeing a financial counselor, etc., etc., ETC.! But those aren't particularly easy and they certainly are not a way to get quick cash. That's why I've created this list of 7 stupid easy ways to change your finances. Each option is a simple and fast way to start on the path to financial health. Survey Says- Make Some Extra CashYou can pinch pennies aplenty, but if you're not making a lot to begin with, you'll find it's challenging to get ahead. If you can squeeze in some extra time in nights and weekends, earning a few extra bucks can be a game changer. Enter, the survey side hustle. Online surveys are an easy and convenient way to earn a few bucks from the comfort of your couch. Keep in mind, though, that they do require you to pay attention and actually read each and every question. The company can tell if you just fibbed your way through the survey and will not pay you for it. They may even remove you from their program. While there are numerous survey sites you could try, they're not all created equal. Some rarely have surveys for you to take or make it extremely difficult to cash out. Luckily for you, we've sifted through all the survey companies and have come up with a list of programs where you can *actually* earn some money. They include: Examine Your CreditIf you are suffering from low or even no credit, it's important to keep an eye on your credit score. Not only will this allow you to see your progress, it can also help you catch any errors or inconsistencies. While you are entitled to a free credit report from each credit reporting company (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax), Credit Sesame is my preferred monitoring program. Not only is it free, but you can check your credit report and score as often as you like. Pretty snazzy, ey? It be totally scary to look at your credit score, I get it. But knowing what's negatively impacting you NOW can help you in a year's time when you go to make a big purchase. Follow these steps to earn some money and trim expenses, but also make sure you understand your score and how to improve it! Trim and Sift ItMoney-saving apps and programs are a dime a dozen these days. I've even written about some in the past. But as of December of 2018, my two favorites are Trim and Sift. Using apps on your phone to simplify and optimize your spending habits is a great way to save without breaking a sweat! TrimTrim is an online, desktop based program that automates ways to save you money. After you securely connect your accounts, Trim will inspect each one to determine if there are any potential money saving options. Specifically, Trim excels at examining and notifying you of your recurring subscriptions, discovers if you can save money on your cable, and allows you to automate your savings. You can even request account alerts via text for things like overdrafts, low-funds, or large purchases. Best of all, it is free. Trim takes security very seriously and therefore they have implemented 256-bit SSL encryption, two-factor authentication, and read-only access. Your account info is not stored of their servers. To learn more about Trim or to sign up, pop on over here. SiftSift is an app that focuses on your credit cards and their purchases. Named as one of Google Play's Best Apps of 2018, it maximizes your cashback and rewards, while tracking all the benefits available for each of your cards. It will automatically update you on any perks that may be available to you due to using a specific card. For example, theft and damage and warranties, time left to return, and price protection. The latter is my favorite perk, as it will help you save money on previous purchases if you used certain cards when buying an item that has decreased in price. As for Sift's security, information is transmitted securely via SSL (TLS 1.2) bank grade encryption. All of their servers and databases have very strict access control and all data transmitted and stored is anonymized. To give Sift a try, check it out here. Save and EarnWhen was the last time you evaluated your savings accounts? Do you know what kind of interest you are earning on your funds? If you use a big bank, with lots of brick and mortar locations, it is likely you aren't getting as much as you could. Solve that problem by considering an online bank. My favorite is Capital One 360. Not only will you receive up to a $100 bonus when you open an account, but because they don't have any physical locations, you get a higher yield interest rate. They have a large network of ATMs and offer mobile deposit, allowing you to get most of the benefits of a typical bank with less fees and a higher rate on your savings. Surf's UpAs mentioned above, online surveys are a nice way to change your finances by earning some quick cash. But the internet has more to offer than that. For example, Swagbucks is an easy way to earn gift cards. Swagbucks offer the typical surveys, but they also reward you for watching videos, shopping online, and more. It's totally free and you can redeem your points earned for pretty much any gift card out there, including MasterCard. If you want to earn some major cashback on your online purchases, you've got to give Ebates a try. Depending on which merchant you buy from, you can get up to 50% back. As a good example, when I switched from AT&T to Verizon for my mobile service, I got $75 cashback just for shopping through Ebates. That was a pretty outstanding month, but I typically reel in at least $20 a month just for shopping at online stores I already planned to buy from using Ebates. (Re)Build Your BudgetYou can't change your finances for the better if you aren't sticking to a healthy budget. I talk a lot about budgeting here at Frugal Beautiful, but my post How to Fall in Love with Your Budget is particularly useful. Alternatively, there are several books on the subject that have helped me, and others like me, to create a budget and not deviate from that plan. A few of my favorite include:
Once you've read up on the subject, consider an online budgeting software like Mint or Personal Capital. It is easier than using pen and paper, especially on the go. I use both of these apps. I love that Mint has a little doughnut chart that shows me how much I'm spending in each category (sometimes it's horrifying!) and that Personal Capital shows me the overall picture of how I'm doing to track my net worth. It's super motivating! Hustle HardMy personal favorite way to improve one's personal finances is to find a side hustle. I've written extensively on my most profitable side hustle: Airbnb. Seriously, without the money I make hosting travelers on Airbnb, I'd be in a world of hurt. Owning a home has been a much more expensive endeavor than expected, specifically due to a major increase in taxes and numerous repairs not found before closing. Airbnb has helped me stay on track with my budgeting and retirement goals. As of this writing in late 2018, I'm earning over $750 a month just renting out my spare room with minimal work as an Airbnb host. Another quick and easy option is to drive for Uber or Lyft. It's simple and fast to get started with either company and can bring in some significant cash quickly. Cha-ching!
|
CD Term | Interest Rate | APY |
---|---|---|
3 Months | 0.35% | 0.35% |
6 Months | 0.65% | 0.65% |
9 Months | 0.70% | 0.70% |
12 Months | 2.52% | 2.55% |
18 Months | 2.52% | 2.55% |
24 Months | 2.57% | 2.60% |
36 Months | 2.62% | 2.65% |
48 Months | 2.71% | 2.75% |
60 Months | 3.05% | 3.10% |
Beyond the basic rates, there are a few more factors to consider when it comes to opening a CD with Barclays.
CD maturity. You'll receive an email alert about 30 days before your CD matures. CDs can either be withdrawn upon maturity or set to be automatically renewed at the same term. There is a 14-day grace period when you can withdraw the funds without being subject to an early withdrawal penalty.
Early withdrawal penalties on CDs. Barclays Bank early withdrawal penalties have two tiers:
- 90 days simple interest on CDs with terms of 24 months or less.
- 180 days simple interest on CDs with terms greater than 24 months.
Early withdrawal penalty waivers. The penalty may be waived under certain circumstances, such as the death or incompetence of the account owner. You also have the option to receive monthly interest disbursements from your CD(s) without triggering the penalty.
Barclays Bank Features and Benefits
Barclays Bank Calculators
The Bank offers the following calculators to help you make savings and investing decisions:
- CD Ladder. This calculator will help you to construct a CD ladder based on the amount of money you have to invest, and the term of the CDs you want to invest in. You'll get specific recommendations on the CD's you'll need to construct a ladder, complete with the current interest rate being paid on each.
- CD Calculator. This tool will show you how much interest you will earn on a CD of a specific term, based on the interest rate being paid on that certificate.
- Savings Assistant. This calculator will enable you to run different scenarios to help you save money for goals.
That can include saving for a vacation, buying a car, or the down payment on a house.
You enter the cost of the goal, how much you already have saved, and how much you're contributing monthly. It will calculate how long it will take you to reach your goal.
Remote Deposit/Deposit Checks
You can make remote check deposits by taking a picture of the check, either with your mobile device or your computer scanner. The name of the process is apparently being changed to “Deposit Checks”, though “Remote Deposit” appears frequently on the Barclays website.
You must sign the back of the check, and write “For Mobile Deposit at Barclays Bank Only” on the back. Your photo or scan must include both the front and back of the check.
Checks deposited after 3:00 pm Eastern Time will be processed on the next business day, and be subject to a five business day minimum hold.
The maximum amount of any check deposited using Remote Deposit is $5,000, and there is also a daily limit of $10,000 and 10 checks. There is also a 10 business day limit of $50,000 and 20 checks.
Mobile App
The Barclays Mobile App is available for iOS 9.0 or later, and is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. It's also available for Android, 4.2 and up.
The app is available at The App Store and Google Play.
The website notes ”…one-time transfers may be initiated on your mobile device to and from linked and verified external accounts”. Reviews of the app report users being unable to make external transfers using the mobile app, so “one-time transfers” may mean just that.
Customer Service and Account Security
Barclays Customer Care is available by phone, seven days a week, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, Eastern time. You can also access your account 24/7 through your online account.
All funds held at Barclays Bank are fully FDIC insured for up to $250,000 per depositor.
The Bank uses the following security measures to protect your account and your identity:
- Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security to provide a 128-bit secure link between your browser and the Bank.
- Global Digital certificate signed by VeriSign to assure you're communicating with Barclays and not a “copycat” site.
- A time-out applies to your logon session.
- Firewalls and other technology are used to block unauthorized traffic to the Bank website.
The transfer of information between you and the Bank, and between the Bank and authorized third parties, is always encrypted to insure it isn't available to unintended third parties.
How to Open an Account with Barclays Bank
The application process is entirely online. The application will request the following information:
- Your full name.
- Social Security number.
- Date of birth (you must be at least 18 years old).
- Email address.
- Primary phone number, plus consent to call or text, as well as the level of that consent.
- Your complete address.
- Country of citizenship and residency.
- Length of time at your current address (must cover at least two years).
- Your occupation.
- Type of account – single or joint; Online CD or Online Savings account.
- Opening deposit amount.
- Account funding – providing routing number, account number and account type of external funding account.
Once all that information has been supplied, you'll be asked to create a User ID and Password, as well as to supply your mother's maiden name and a security question and answer. You'll also be given the option to enroll in two-factor authentication.
Finally, you'll be asked to complete and sign the electronic consent agreement, terms and conditions, and a W-9 certification.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Barclays Bank
Pros
- Barclays Bank offers some of the highest rates available for online bank CDs and pays many times more than what brick-and-mortar banks.
- The interest rate paid on the Online Savings account is one of the highest among online banks.
- There are no account fees charged on either Barclays CDs or the Online Savings account.
Cons
- Barclays Bank does not offer a checking account option, though this is often the case with online banks.
- No accounts are offered for minors (they were halted on June 6, 2017).
- There's a question as to whether or not the mobile app can be used to make ongoing transfers to and from external accounts.
- The Barclays Bank deposit capability seems limited. Common deposit media, such as wire transfers and money orders aren't permitted. They also impose a five business day hold on all deposits from external sources.
- Barclays does not offer loan accounts typically available at banks, such as mortgages, auto loans or personal loans. But they do offer the Barclaycard Arrival Plus
World Elite MasterCard®, which is one of the best travel credit cards available.
Should You Bank with Barclays Bank?
Barclays Bank is not a full-service bank. They don't offer typical bank products, like auto and personal loans, or mortgages. They don't even offer a checking account option.
For that reason, the bank is best used as a place to park your cash to earn interest rates that are much higher than what you can get with traditional banks, and even most other online banks.
In particular, you'll be interested in the high interest Online Savings Account, or one of the CDs they offer. Rates are best on the CDs with terms of 12 months or longer, but relatively low on shorter terms.
But since virtually everyone has a need for high-yield savings in those terms, Barclays Bank is worth investigating. As a pure savings platform, it's one of the best available.
If you'd like more information, or if you'd like to open an account with the Bank, visit the Barclays Bank website.
The post Barclays Bank Review appeared first on Good Financial Cents.
Collecting rent from your tenants is one of the most important aspects of managing rental properties. Property managers and landlords rely on rental income to pay mortgage payments, property taxes, utilities, administration and employee fees, and other property related expenses. Getting paid on time is equally important as getting paid the full rental amount each […]
The post The Best Way to Collect Rent Payments Each Month – Video appeared first on Rentec Direct.
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