Learn how with the assistance of a SCORE mentor, this woman turned her wall art idea into a viable business.
This post is part of a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.
For more information on small business grant and home ownership programs visit TopGovernmentGrants.com.
Having green energy in your house is a great way to protect the environment, while reducing energy costs. Doing this won’t require you to purchase an electric car! Read this guide for simple ways on how to make your house energy efficient, while on any type of budget.
A solar water heating system can help lower energy costs. Heating water with natural gas or electricity is not that efficient, but with solar energy, water takes the suns energy and keeps temperatures steady. You may be eligible for tax deductions for using energy efficient upgrades.
Consume energy more wisely by unplugging your device chargers when they are not in use. Whether you are charging your device or not, chargers for laptops, mp3 players, cellphones and other electronics keep drawing electrical power as long as they stay plugged in.
Do your research when it comes to the available energy sources where you live. Determine which energy source is cheapest for your home. Don’t forget to account for any government incentives that might be in effect. Think about switching to natural gas or well water as examples of simple changes.
Instead of using a clothes dryer, hang your clothes in the sun to dry in the summer months. Your clothing will have a great smell from the sun. They will smell a lot fresher than if you were to use a dryer. You will also have lower utility bills.
If you want to save money and energy, only run your dishwasher when it is completely full of dishes. Do not simply place a few dishes into it and run it. Pack your dishwasher full, and you may be surprised at the amount it can hold. Take care to line up your dishes, so you are able to put in as many as you can.
If you aren’t using something, turn it off. Make sure that all lights are off when you exit a room, and also consider switching off the power for your television set, computer and stereo. Use power strips for your electronics, and make sure to turn it of when you are not using it. If it is in standby it’s still wasting power.
From switching to energy efficient bulbs to changing out your furnace’s filter, there are a number of simple ways you can make your home more energy efficient. When your friends and family see you going green, they’ll be inspired and want to go green too. Utilize the tips in this article and put them in place today.
The Small Business Administration has established the Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) Empowerment Contracting Program wherein they aim to provide federal contracting assistance to eligible small business corporations which are located in underutilized business zones so as to improve their employment opportunities, investments, and their area’s economic development. The Small Business Administration will identify which businesses are eligible to receive HUBZone contracts and will then maintain a list of qualified HUBZone small businesses which federal agencies can then use to locate them.
This post is aligned with a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.
Find additional information and resources on small business grants and loans, home buyer programs and impact investment programs from around the world.
Eventually, every homeowner needs to make improvements to their investment. This article has a lot of tips that can help you. You will feel immediate gratification as you check those important items off your “to do list.” Keep reading!
If you can, put in actual wood flooring rather than laminate. Despite a similar appearance to real wood and being easy to take care of, laminate cannot be refinished. In 10-20 years, you will find that your floors need to be replaced and cannot be refinished.
Use clear plastic boxes to organize items in your garage by type and frequency of use. Label all plastic organizers for stacking. This tactic won’t cost you a lot and will protect your things from insects.
Create a visually pleasing bookcase with the use of some wallpaper. Choose a vibrant graphic design. Paper the back of the bookcase with the wallpaper, and then you’ll be able to see it behind the books. Not only will this bring an old bookcase back to life, it will be a signature piece in your room.
What do you use to clear out clogs? Some of them are very harsh. Do not use crystallized drain cleaners that will damage your pipes over the long run. Be certain that the drain cleaner you choose will not negatively impact your septic tank.
Remove any excess cord that is hanging from your blinds. Children and pets have both been known to become tangled in these dangling cords, sometimes leading to strangulation. Leave enough length so that you are still able to adjust the blinds, but make sure you remove or otherwise secure any excess. Tie it up or cut it to avoid any unfortunate events.
When you renovate a bathroom, it pays to make the bathroom handicap-accessible as part of the renovation project. You can do this step-by-step, but it’s a good idea to be prepared, just in case you need it when you get older. If you sell your home, these preparations will add to the value of your house on the market.
Are you a homeowner that wants to better your living environment through some home improvements? You are not the only one! Using the advice you’ve just read through can really help you get through all kinds of home improvement projects with a minimum of fuss. You should have a lot more information available to you after reading this article. All that’s left now is for you to get started.
Keep up with trends on landscaping, even though it may be difficult to do. A home’s landscaping is viewed by people passing by, but many people do not think of their own, personal landscape. Read the following tips and ideas in this article so you can improve your landscape and the appearance of your home.
Make a sketch of your landscaping project ideas before you start digging. Sketching your ideas out first will help you visualize what you want the results to be, and therefore, you will know what materials you might need. It’s much simpler to change your ideas on a drawing than it is to change what you’ve already done in your yard.
You can produce an impressive multi-seasonal garden by putting a little extra thought into your plant selections. Use plants that bloom for different seasons so that your yard looks at its best. Evergreen trees and exotic tree species with notable foliage can also help preserve your landscape’s year-round appeal.
It is very difficult to landscape your whole residence all at once. Instead, divide the project into several phases. This will be less overwhelming and easier to afford. It will also help you implement changes to your design, along the way if you find there need to be any changes.
There’s much more to landscaping then simply planting some grass and trees. Add a little texture and fill out your design with accent pieces or structures in wood, iron, or even cement. Pergolas, decks, birdbaths and archways create attractive and complex looks with beauty and visual interest. These things come in various price ranges that can fit anyone’s budget.
Landscaping is both practical and fun. Get everyone involved in improving the look of your home. Get your spouse and the kids out there with you. The end result will not only be pleasant memories of changing your home’s landscape as a family together, but a great looking home, as well.
Interested businesses that are looking to procure a loan from the federal government can visit the GovLoans website, as it serves as the public’s gateway to government loan information.
This post is part of a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.
Find additional information and resources on small business grants and loans, home buyer programs and Community Foundation programs from around the world.
There are many facets of home mortgages that can be confusing. There are things you have to be educated about before getting a mortgage. Luckily, the information below will help.
Do your research before you go to a mortgage lenders. Having your financial paperwork in order will make the process go more quickly. Your lender is going to want this material; if you have it handy, you can save multiple trips down to finance office.
Even if you are far underwater on your home, HARP might be an option for you. This new opportunity has been a blessing to many who were unable to refinance before. Do your research and determine if would help by lowering your payments and building your credit.
Before you actually fill out a mortgage application, you should have all the required documents well in order. Most lenders require a standard set of documents pertaining to income and employment. They range from bank statements to pay stubs. It will be an easier process if you have these documents together.
If your mortgage is causing you to struggle, then find assistance. If you have fallen behind on the obligation or find payments tough to meet, see if you can get financial counseling. HUD will provide counseling anywhere across the nation. Counselors approved by HUD can often help you prevent foreclosure. You can locate them on their website, or by calling their office.
What kind of mortgage is most beneficial to you? There are quite a few different kinds of home loans. If you know about the various types and can compare them to each other, you will have an easier time choosing the best mortgage for your own situation. Talk to your lender about your mortgage options.
The mortgage loan that is the easiest to get approved for is likely the balloon mortgage. This mortgage has a short term and you will have to refinance the balance you still owe when the loan expires. It could be a risky decision, because the rates may go up or your financial situation could deteriorate.
The tips you’ve gone over here are going to help you be motivated to get things done right. While it may feel daunting at first, do not be afraid to search for additional information to make yourself an informed consumer. If you use the information in addition to your existing knowledge, the process will be far better.
A Community Development Credit Union, more commonly known as a CDCU, is a credit financial institution which owned and controlled by its members in an effort to sustain the ability of being able to provide a wide array of financial services. Basically a Community Development Credit Union is a type of Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that is specially designed to low and moderate income people and communities with or without small businesses.
This post is aligned with a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.
For more information on small business grant and home ownership programs visit TopGovernmentGrants.com.
When you are searching for a home mortgage, you need to realize this is a big financial decision and one that has to be undertaken with care. It could end badly if you don’t have the right information. If you want a mortgage, but need to learn about the process, this piece is for you.
Get all of your paperwork in order before seeking a home loan. Having your financial paperwork in order will make the process go more quickly. Your lender is going to need all of this. Having it handy will make things more convenient for all involved.
Regardless of where you are in the home buying process, stay in touch with your lender. Even though it might seem that all is lost and you can’t afford to make the mortgage payments, lenders are sometimes willing to renegotiate the terms of a loan to help you get through troubled times. The only way to know your options is to speak with your mortgage lender.
If you are underwater on your home and have made failed attempts to refinance, give it another try. The HARP federal initiative allows for refinancing, even if you owe more than your home is worth. Speak to a lender now since many are open to Harp refinance options. If your lender won’t help you, move on to one who will.
You are going to have to put down an initial payment. Although zero down payment mortgages were available in the past, most mortgage companies make it a requirement. You need to find out how much of a down payment is required before your submit your application.
Don’t lose hope if you have a loan application that’s denied. Just move on and apply for the next mortgage with another lender. Depending on the lender, they all have different criteria that you must meet to secure a loan. This is why it’s always a good idea to apply with a bunch of different lenders to get what you wanted.
Now that you have more information about mortgages, put yourself out there. Use this advice as a guide. Find a good lender and get the loan you want.
The Historically Underutilized Business Zones Empowerment Contracting Program provides federal contracting assistance to eligible small businesses located in underutilized business zones to improve their employment opportunities, investments, and their area’s economic development.
This post is part of a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.
For more information on small business grant and home ownership programs visit TopGovernmentGrants.com.