VK HowTo - get more out of life

Fall Landscaping Tips for Upstate New Yorkers

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 03:46:31 -0700

It's a time when the weather is getting cooler, the leaves are turning colors and falling off the trees and the air is brisk. Fall is upon us and many Upstate New York homeowners think this is the time when landscaping can be cut back. But, in actuality fall is the perfect time to prepare for next year's planting. Plus, even though winter will soon be upon us you will still want your yard looking the best it can possibly look. In order to get the most from your yard, there are several landscaping tips you can use.

Seven Ways to Help Sell Your Home

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 16:07:50 -0700

In a slower real estate market, sellers cannot afford to ignore any part of the marketing process. Price, preparation, and presentation must be excellent in order to attract a buyer. The price must be set realistically. Preparation should include fresh paint, de-cluttering, updated floor materials, and no glaring repair needs. And, presentation should be meticulous, with drapes open, lights on, lawn mowed, and interior cleaned.

7 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Duplex Condo

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:06:16 -0700

Condominium is a form of ownership of real estate. In this type of ownership the owner has individual title to the air space inside the unit, plus an undivided interest in the buildings and land.

Drywall Texture: A Long Term Investment

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:06:55 -0700

Drywall texture is a compound that is rolled, sprayed, or troweled onto the sheetrock after the taping and floating of joints is complete. It is the same material as the joint compound, but thinned down with water and applied to the wall surface. There is a lot of variation in styles of texture, and some are more appropriate for certain styles of homes. Here are seven basic types:

Texture work in progress

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:05:46 -0700

Texture work on remodel of 1970's home.

Downtown Austin – Urban Living

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:40:37 -0700

One of the more recent developments in the Austin real estate market are the multitude of loft condominiums springing up smack-right in the middle of downtown. This new push towards urban living reflects an interest in a pedestrian-oriented community, optimal for those who work in Austin's business center, but also attractive to others who appreciate an abundance of amenities offered within walking distance. Downtown Austin has much to offer Austin residents, whether they work, live, or visit this area which truly represents the cultural heartbeat of the city.

How to Make a Budget (and Stick to It)

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:39:11 -0700

Responsible budgeting and money management are skills everyone needs to learn as is the discipline required to put these skills into action. Many people find it difficult to stick to a budget; oftentimes, this is because the budget they created is not realistic. Regardless of the economic climate, it is important to know how to manage your finances and keep track of your spending. In order to do this, you need a budget that you can live with. Here are a few simple steps to get you started.

Five Ways to Cut Energy Usage & Save Money Around the House

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:35:27 -0700

It takes unimaginable amounts of energy to power the United States, and the needs is constantly growing. As global warming and fuel crises gain more and more public attention, people everywhere are now looking for ways to live a greener lifestyle. But this doesn't mean rebuilding your home to run on solar energy, or overhauling your current lifestyle. There are plenty of small, simple things you can do every day to help reduce your household's energy consumption (and even waste). Here are five effective changes you can make right now.

Roller Derby, Austin Style

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:33:04 -0700

Ten women go whizzing past wearing wild fishnet hoses. Their colorful get-ups also include helmets and kneepads and flying scarves and the skates on which they are racing around the oval track.

Elbows fly, legs lock, bodies go careening and sliding along the masonite track. Occasionally two shapely lovelies go at each other, swinging hard and fast, falling to the ground, rolling and grappling as the beer-soaked, capacity crowd roars in approval. It's Sunday afternoon at the roller derby bout; roller derby with a Texas twist.

Tips And Tricks For Home Staging

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:30:32 -0700

Staging a home can end up being a valuable tool in selling the house. Not only can it assist in selling a house, but it can also help the seller get top dollar.

The amount of staging needed varies wildly from a small scale de-cluttering of a home to hiring staging professionals to the tune of several thousand dollars, but the goal is the same- creating a pleasant mood by making a house appear bigger, brighter and warmer while neutralizing the area so prospective buyers can visualize how their own furniture and belongings can be incorporated into the home.

How to Stay Fit on a Budget

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:28:49 -0700

Many Americans are foregoing luxury expenses like high car payments, vacations, and gym memberships in order to combat the struggling economy and rising costs of everyday expenses like food, gasoline, and other essentials. Fast food restaurants are beefing up their value menus in attempts to lure budget-conscious consumers through the door, and people everywhere are feeling the crunch of fewer and fewer resources. But being on a tight budget doesn't mean you have to abandon your fitness regimen, or skip a healthy meal for a cheaper, high calorie alternative. Instead, follow these simple tips to maximize your budget without sacrificing your health, or the health of your family.

How to Eat Well Without Overspending

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:26:41 -0700

With living costs rising at a seemingly constant rate, simple, everyday expenses are getting more and more difficult to accommodate, and many people are finding their budgets getting tighter than ever. While there are plenty of areas people can trim their budgets, such as spending on entertainment or shoe shopping, the rising costs of necessary items like food and gasoline make it harder and harder for people to cut enough spending elsewhere in their budgets to accommodate the increased expense of these everyday necessities. And despite the need, it's simply unrealistic to eliminate all extraneous spending in order to make room for the ever-increasing expense of groceries and gasoline.

A Grape Time in Austin, Texas

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:24:41 -0700

Considered by many to be one of the premier nightlife spots in the country, Austin, Texas boasts a high-energy bar scene and entertainment district, and the moniker, "The Live Music Capital of the World." In addition to the literally hundreds of bars, clubs and restaurants that make up Austin's downtown, a newer type of establishment is quickly growing in popularity among locals and tourists alike: the wine bar. The twenty-something University of Texas at Austin crowd can keep 6th Street and it's rowdy, raucous bars and dance clubs; Austin's older, more sophisticated set has found a posh and cozy new home in Austin's burgeoning wine bar scene. Let's take a closer look at three of the most popular spots for fans of the fermented grape.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:22:48 -0700

In 1990, Bergstrom Air Force Base, which was the primary military facility in the Travis County area, was considered as a site for possible closure, at which time it was also considered as a possible site for a new international airport, since Robert Mueller Airport was no longer big enough to support the population and numerous flyers as Travis County expanded. A study was conducted, and in August of 1991, the Austin City Council officially announced the site as the home of the new international airport to be built.

Austin, Texas: A Cyclist's Paradise

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:20:20 -0700

Austin, Texas, is well known for its high rate of resident activity. In fact, Austin is often rated among the healthiest and most-active cities in America. With a wealth of outdoor activities to choose from (parks, lakes, and hiking trails abound) Austinites have access to an almost indefinite number of options when it comes to exercise.