July 28, 2009

5 Reasons to Buy a Home Security System Today

Deciding whether to buy a home security system or not may seem like a big decision in your life. Should you spend the money? Is it worth the investment? Well, honestly, yes and yes. There are many reasons why purchasing a home security system is important or you and your family.

1. Reasonable Price. Home security systems are not as expensive as you might think. Many companies offer packages that include monitoring for about $100 per month, which is a nominal fee when you consider the level of security they provide you with.
2. Multi-faceted Protection. Most people think of a home alarm system as protection against a robbery, but a home alarm system can provide you with much more. It is a way to keep your family safe from fire and carbon monoxide poisoning as well. And in addition to all that an alarm system can also help you to be aware when small children slip out the door, whether toward the road or an unattended swimming pool. Don't forget about keeping the kids safe while they sleep...Don't you think that Elizabeth Smart's family wishes they had a 24 hour monitoring system.
3. Save Money. Sure you may spend some money on a security system, but it is an investment and one that will actually save you back some of the money that you have spent on it. A home security system will allow you to save money on your homeowner's insurance, because it will protect your investments and your risk of having something happen goes way down when you invest in a home security system.
4. Peace of Mind. With a home security system in place, you will sleep more soundly and be able to worry less, whether you are home or away from home. This means less stress that that is something that we can all use these days.
5. Failing Economy. In a society where people are struggling to make ends meet and getting very stressed about it the crime rate will rise. Not just in crimes of economic gain, but in all violent crimes as well. When the stress level rises people tend to act out more often. In a world in which crime is on the rise it is more important than ever to consider protecting those that you hold so dear.

Posted by juliusp at 01:37 PM | Comments (0)

May 11, 2009

SOLID WOOD FURNITURE IS THE BEST INVESTMENT


Being a single mom and going through school and working, has not been an easy task. When I told friends that I was returning to school they were thinking I was out of my mind, even though they tried to be supportive. In any case, it has been a challenging yet wonderful experience, and I feel that I am being a good role model to my two kids. Showing them that it is never too late to make something of yourself, is an important lesson in life.

Anyway, when we first moved into our two bedroom apartment we were all sleeping on air mattresses and I don't think that the kids took it too hard, but I felt really badly that I couldn't afford to get them bedroom furniture right away. I window shopped for a while and because they are still young decided that when I bought them bedroom furniture it was going to have to last a while, so I decided that it would have to be solid wood furniture. After all, this is the stuff that lasts a lifetime, so that is what I would need. I scrimped and saved and eventually had enough to buy the twin mattresses that they needed, but I decided to buy them platform beds so I didn't need the box springs. Then this was the only furniture in their rooms, but I still was sleeping on an air mattress and that was getting a little old, I must say. I continued shopping around and found a great clearance sale on dressers. I picked them each up a dresser for their room. Because they were clearance, I couldn't get them to match, but was able to find two that were similar, and I was happy with the way they looked in their rooms.

My parents helped me out and repainted their room walls blue which was wonderful, because honestly I am not one of those home improvement types, and they surprised me by bringing me a bed. Sure it was just the one that they had in their guest room, but still finally a bed.

Things have gotten better since this point, and although we live on a tight budget we have been able to save a little money and will even be able to take a vacation this summer, which is something that we haven't been able to do for many years. One year of school left, and I am looking forward to getting my degree and start living a little more. It has been a hard road, but the payoff will be big!

Posted by juliusp at 08:52 PM | Comments (0)

February 10, 2009

DESIGNER LAMPS FOR ROCK BOTTOM PRICES

If you can afford to shop these days, then you can really pick up some nice deals. I went shopping with a friend of mine a few days ago at the mall, and we couldn't believe all the deals that there were. Some really great clearance items in clothing, home decor, the markdowns were incredible. I tend to be a shopper, but I do work and I don't spend money frivolously, but I love a bargain, and these days, that is almost all you find anywhere. Well, I picked up a pair of lounge pants and a tee for under $5, and then we went into a little store, I don't even remember the name of it honestly, but they had the most incredible designer lamps and they were all marked down to about 20% of their original price. Now, I thought maybe they were defective lamps or something, so I asked the salesperson, and she told me that they had just decided not to carry these Pendant Lamps anymore, and that they were trying to find some new products to try and stimulate business in the store. Now, I know that businesses are suffering and I am sorry that everyone is experiencing such financial troubles, however, I know if it weren't for all these factors I would not be able to get such a great deal on these beautiful lamps that will go beautifully with my new bedroom suite, which I also got for a really good deal because it was the last one and it was a floor model. It had a few marks, but I paid about 25% of what I would have paid for it so it was all okay.

The bottom line is that whether you are looking for designer lamps or a new bedroom suite, don't be afraid to shop around, and don't pay full price for anything. With deals all around you, take the time and find exactly what you want, but find it for less. This will not only save you some green, but will allow you to get a lot more stuff. Be a wise shopper!

Posted by juliusp at 08:32 AM | Comments (0)

February 02, 2009

My Neighbors

I remember my neighbor when I was younger was in a wheelchair and he always had a handicap vehicle and for some reason, I thought it was so cool when I was little because he would get to have that sticker in the window and park up close. Now that I am older though, I realize that being in a wheelchair isn't really that cool (or at least for him).
But I actually saw him a few weeks ago because his wife died around Christmas, which was really sad because now he is all by himself, and my family went to the wake. And we ended up planning on meeting a few days later to catch up with him and his daughter and the rest of my family. When we met he was telling us about how he just had a new house built and it is really spacey and he can get around easily which takes a lot of stress off of his daughter because she is always worried about him (he now lives about 3 blocks away from her). He was also telling us about how he found a new van in the wheelchair van classifieds (which I had no idea existed). It is really nice though that you can get wheelchair vehicles much easier now and they have brought them more up to date and more modern. He was even telling us how cool some of them looked. They really are much more fashionable now.
It was really nice to see him though. It was sad to see that his wife died, she used to make us cookies when we were younger and watch us play in the yard and he would wheel around after us. They were such a nice couple and it was also nice to see that he had really made peace with her death and that he knew she wanted him to be happy and live his life and then meet up with her later (that's what he told us). They have been through so much together and it is so great to see a couple last their entire lives together and still be so happy and so in love. Even after the death of a child and being in a wheelchair and her having to take care of them, they were still so happy and I can only hope to be like that some day.

Posted by juliusp at 10:11 AM | Comments (0)

December 03, 2008

CORK FLOORING CUTS DOWN ON ECHOING

Where I live, the houses are really old and they echo a lot. I got a great deal on this house I am living in and am gradually fixing it up, so that after I graduate I can sell it. Hopefully, the market for selling a home will be better by then, but if it isn't I am thinking that I will see if I can rent it out to someone for a while until the market bounces back.

Recently, as part of my remodeling, I pulled up all the carpeting in the house, and found that once I did, the house echoed so badly that I felt like every noise that I made was heard for three blocks up. One day I was even outside, and could hear the whole conversation that was going on inside. It was then that I knew I had to do something that would not only improve the look of my home, but also provide a solution to this problem.

A friend of mine suggested Cork Tiles. I had no clue that people even used cork for flooring, but I figured, what the heck, I would take a look into it. What I found was that cork flooring was actually more durable than hardwood flooring. The cork is durable and flexible and bounces back. No it doesn't compress and then stay there, all though that is what I thought too. It is naturally hypo-allergenic and anti fungal. It is easy to clean with just a broom and a mop and best yet, it is quiet. It helps reduce echoes especially in old homes like mine.

It seemed like the perfect solution for my home, but I was concerned because I didn't think that there would be any choices about how it would look. I just figured that cork was cork and therefore, every floor would look the same. Actually, it came in many colors and since they are tiles, they could pretty much make it look any way I wanted it too. I came up with a great unique design and had it installed within the week. Now not only does my home look great, but the echoing has stopped. It is great to have a home that not only looks great but sounds good too.

Posted by juliusp at 11:32 AM | Comments (0)