Dog-Proofing your Apartment

The single most important thing in training a dog in an apartment is not to get lax and let the dog loose. Freedom is a reward for well-trained dogs, not a reward for dogs who beg loudly enough or guilt trip you with soft brown eyes. Some people swear by crate-training, and some confine the dogs to a room, like the kitchen or the bathroom. The important thing is that if you are still training, you must confine the dog to an area that is easy to control and clean. 

Establish a Routine

Dogs thrive on routines. They naturally want to have the same schedule every day. Establishing a set time when you feed them, walk them, play with them, and put them to bed will go a long ways in preventing any trouble from developing. Dogs are smart, so leaving food out, not having a regular walk or playtime, or similar lax behavior will prevent them from being bored.

A mentally engaged dog is a dog that will adapt easily to your lifestyle. Any routine in an apartment should include a mid-day break. If you can’t sneak out of work and take your dog for a lunch-time walk, consider hiring a retired neighbor or a teenager who needs some extra cash. 9 hours is too long for a dog to be locked in an apartment without a potty/exercise break. 

Positive Reinforcement

Above all, do not negatively discipline. Punishing a dog for not listening when you call him, or pushing his nose into potty mistakes, will only alienate him from you and further set back your training. If you want him to do what you want, give a non-dramatic, “no,” and then follow it by ignoring him. Consistently reward good behaviors with food, attention or both, and your dog will quickly come around. He may even think he is training you! 

Take Your Dog to Obedience School

It is easy to skip this important step, but getting the training right early is one of the most important ways to establish your relationship with the dog on a positive note. Obedience school is also much cheaper than the pounds of destroyed furnishings that often result without it. In addition to basic commands and obedience, your dog will get important socialization with other dogs. 

Keep it Fun

Do daily training, 2 sessions of about 10-15 minutes each. Give lots of rewards and keep it engaging. If you are in a good mood, it will help him want to do what you say. Instead of asking him to do the same behavior again and again, switch it up. Cycle through different commands. 

If you follow these tips, you will have a happy and well-trained dog who is a pleasure to be around.

Metal

Don’t throw away old metal pots and bread pans, or other metal containers. Use them in your balcony garden as containers for your plants and flowers. You’ll need to drill holes in them, but they’ll make excellent DIY planters. Get creative and make one theme entirely out of your old metal wares around your apartment.

Wooden Toolbox

Take an old wooden toolbox (or the one you’ve got), drill holes at the bottom for drainage and you’ve got a DIY planter to use on your balcony. The dividers are perfect for separating the plants. Just add potting soil, fertilizer (if you choose) and your plants, and you’ve got a great self-contained planter. You can also use them as window boxes if there’s enough space.

Glass Jars

Do you have a glass jar collection and don’t know what to do with it? There are many food items that come in jars such as tomato sauce, jams, salsa and more. You don’t have to throw those away. Instead, use them as planters in your balcony garden. You can create mini water gardens in each one. A combination of large and small jars, when properly arranged, will make your balcony look creative and peaceful.

Antique DIY Planters

Antiques can make great DIY planters, and that’s good news for antique lovers. Toy wagons, old wheelbarrows and other antiques can extend your apartment decor to your balcony. However, you’ll have to be willing to alter them to provide drainage for your plants. Keep that in mind, so that you don’t choose an item that’s too valuable for this project.

Plastic Planters

These tend to be the most popular of all the choices, because plastics are easy to find. You’ve probably got several right now in your refrigerator. Milk, soft drinks and water bottles are all good choices. You can even plant upside down tomato plants in plastic DIY containers, making it a fun project for your entire family. One benefit of plastic containers is that  you don’t have to water the plants as much, because they will retain more water than the other DIY planters mentioned.

Wooden Planters

If you enjoy woodworking, why not build your own wooden planters? If you’ve got scraps of wood material from other projects, or older furniture that you’re thinking about trashing, use it to build simple square or rectangular boxes that can fit right in your balcony garden. Be sure to leave tiny spaces between the wood so that the water can drain. You can also take the extra step and paint your boxes to match your balcony decor.

Now that you know your options, save the containers you use instead of throwing them out. Evaluate whether they would make a good candidate for a DIY planter.

Renters insurance is a type of insurance policy that protects household possessions of those who are renting a home or apartment. This kind of tenant insurance coverage is optional, unlike homeowners insurance, but it is recommended for safeguarding all of the things that a tenant keeps in his or her home. Renters insurance is particularly recommended in the state of Texas.

National agencies reported that in 2005, Texans in some cities paid much higher renters insurance rates than the average for U.S. residents. There are some specific features that experts recommend including in renters insurance for the Austin, Texas area. Here are some things to think about for your renters insurance policy.

Fire Insurance

Fire coverage is something that may or may not be covered in a standard renters insurance policy, but it’s extremely important. The Austin Fire Department has reported over 75,000 fire incidents for the 2006 to 2007 year. In addition to smoke detectors and all of the usual fire safety gear, a fire insurance clause in a renters insurance policy is going to be critical if your household goods go up in flames.

Hurricane and Flooding Insurance

Hurricanes and the flash floods they create might be the overall primary reason why Austin renters insurance can be so expensive. Central Texas has earned the nickname “Flash Flood Alley” because of all the flood water that rushes through that area after major storms have disturbed water tables and pushed runoff all over the state. Any Austin neighborhood can be affected by this flash flooding, so it’s worth noting whether your renters insurance policy specifically includes both hurricane damage (property damage from wind and the physical action of the storm) and flash flood damage. When purchasing your flood damage policy endorsement, also ask about how to get coverage for water emergencies inside your building, such as burst pipes, that can also ruin your household possessions.

Theft, Burglary, Vandalism

Austin renters should also take a close look at their renters insurance policy to be sure that it covers reasonable costs when thieves break in and steal, or when some unknown party vandalizes a property. As the city with over one and a half million residents in its metro area, Austin is a place that is vulnerable to burglary and other kinds of crime. City officials recommend deadbolts on doors to increase home security. In terms of renters insurance, those taking out these policies should make sure that the company will reimburse for items stolen from the home, and that all contingencies such as locks and home security equipment are provided for to comply with the terms of the policy.

Looking at these and other major issues for the Austin area will give Austin renters more peace of mind about their rental homes being covered for any unfortunate incidents.

Furnishings

Every furnished apartment comes with furniture. The type and amount of furniture you can expect to find varies depending on who the landlord is catering to. Executive rentals generally provide more upscale furniture, while college-oriented rentals meet the more basic needs of a student.

1. Bedroom

Your bedroom will come with a bed, nightstand, lamp, hangers and a chest of drawers or armoire for your clothes. Decorative items, such as plants and pictures may be available in some furnished apartments. Other furnished apartments offer additional options including a desk for work or studying, a clock radio, a comforter, sheet sets and pillows.

2. Living Room

At the very least, you will have a sofa, cocktail table, end table, lamps and a television. Some furnished apartments include more consumer electronics, such as a stereo system, telephone, answering machine, fax machine, video game system and DVD player.

3. Dining Area

The dining area will include a dining table and chairs. You may also have a chest filled with table linens, dinnerware, flatware, and glassware.

4. Bathroom

At a minimum, your bathroom will have a shower curtain, towels and a bath mat. Bathroom accessories, such as a cup, toothbrush holder, tissue holder and wastebasket may also be included.

5. Kitchen

Basic housewares are always included. But you may receive a wide variety of additional housewares from small electrics to cookware. Electrics may include a microwave, toaster oven, coffee maker, food processor, blender and can opener.

For cooking you may receive a cookware set and bakeware. Kitchen accessories will include items such as a measuring cup and spoons, mixing bowls, spatulas, vegetable peeler, strainers and food storage containers. Other items often included for your convenience are serving utensils, salt and pepper shakers, pot holders and dish towels.

Upkeep

You’ll need to keep your apartment and belongings clean and tidy, so maintenance supplies often come with a furnished apartment.

6. Cleaning

The most common cleaning supplies are a broom and dustpan, mop and pail, and a vacuum cleaner.

7. Laundry

Basic laundry supplies may be included for your use. A laundry basket, hamper, iron and ironing board are typical.

Services

Since a furnished apartment is like a ready-made home, many of the conveniences of home are available. Some may be standard and others may be available at your request.

8. Utilities

Common utilities are telephone service, Internet access, satellite TV, cable, electricity, water and gas.

9. Housekeeping

You may also be able to order housekeeping services. Usually such services cost extra and consist of apartment cleaning and delivery of freshly laundered towels and sheets.

_______________________________________

Lisa Bernstein: As a long-time apartment dweller and seasoned condominium trustee, I have dealt with numerous landlord-tenant, property management, and day-to-day apartment complex issues. My extensive, direct experience has led to invaluable insights into apartment life from both the tenant and management perspectives.

1. Provide Proof of Assets, Income and other Assurance

Above all, the landlord simply wants to know that you can make the agreed rent. Any proof of your financial responsibility will generally help you in negotiating a lease agreement.

2. Show Proper Understanding of Legality and Lease Etiquette

Generally, the more you know, the better you will be treated by landlords. Demonstrating your knowledge will help you earn the respect of the parties you are negotiating with.

3. Open a Dialogue about the Security Deposit

The security deposit in a lease agreement has become an increasingly controversial part of this legal document. Many landlords tend to keep the security deposit when the tenant moves out to pay for damages to the housing unit. If the damages are extreme, this is warranted, but some normal wear and tear may not be a fair reason to withhold a security deposit. For a better lease agreement, go over any strategy to document wear conditions, and set up a good understanding of what will happen on move out day.

4. Pursue Various Quid Pro Quo Options

Some of the terms of your lease agreement may be improved by some bargaining with your landlord. One good example is the term of the lease itself. A standard lease term is a one or two-year contract, but some landlords will be open to shorter terms, for example, a six month contract followed by month-to-month rental, in exchange for concessions such as a higher security deposit. Make these suggestions as they appeal to you, and see if they resonate with your landlord.

5. Be Thorough in Defining a Lease Term

Other provisions of a lease agreement are no better than the understanding that they create between the landlord and a tenant. For example, a provision in a lease may deal with noise. Without a concrete definition of what kind of environment is guaranteed, there is really no value added by this kind of lease clause. If, however, a tenant and landlord can mutually define these clauses when signing the lease, this will set them up for easier solutions to problems that may occur later.

6. Be Open and Honest about Lease Terms

If you need to negotiate something like a pet deposit, or talk over issues like access, do it in a friendly but firm manner, with attention to showing the landlord that you respect their position in the deal. Overall, when the two parties can demonstrate a mutual understanding of the lease terms, a lot of hassles can be avoided. In many cases, a mutual accommodation of concerns brought by either party can form the basis for an effective, valuable lease agreement.

These are some of the strategies tenants commonly use to get themselves a lease that works for their living situation.

Transportation

The bulk of your moving costs will be transportation charges. The moving company will take the total weight of your belongings and multiply it by the miles they’ll have to travel to deliver your items, to determine a dollar amount. The further away your apartment, the more you’ll be charged for transporting your items. Do not accept a moving estimate that lists a daily rate, because there are many ways a moving truck might get delayed in transit.

A per mileage estimate is straightforward, and you’ll know ahead of time what to expect. The estimate can also include additional transportation charges that are unique to your move. For instance, an additional charge may accrue for carrying items up any stairs, or for transporting certain household appliances, such as a refrigerator.

Moving Boxes

If you don’t get your own moving boxes, you can buy some from your moving company. They’ll have various shapes and sizes for your items, along with the necessary packing supplies to secure each box. For instance, you might enjoy the convenience of a wardrobe box that has a bar installed to hang your clothes. Boxes with dividers in them, to secure and divide dishes and other kitchen items, are great to use during the move. The company will factor all of the boxes you’ll need into your moving cost estimate.

Packing

The moving company you hire will pack just about anything, except flammables and chemicals which are too risky to transport. They’ll send two or more professional movers to pack your items. The packers get paid an hourly rate, and those charges get added to your moving estimate. Packing services is usually an add-on service that you can request or deny. It really depends on your budget and comfort level with having someone else pack your things.

If you have the money for it (and you don’t mind people packing your personal belongings), then it can be a huge time saver. However, it can be spendy, and you should not use debt to pay for it. Make time to pack your own things if you can barely pay for the more important cost: transportation.

Unpacking

The same considerations apply to hiring the movers to unpack your belongings. Included in the transportation cost is unloading your items in your new apartment. However, what’s not included is unpacking your personal belongings. If you need help with that, you’ll be expected to pay extra. Again, you’ll have to pay hourly rates to the movers for this service, and that gets factored in as part of your moving estimate.

Before you hire a moving company, you should review three written moving estimates that itemize all costs. You’ll then be informed to make a decision that will save you money.

Is Subletting Parking Spots Allowed?

Apartment complexes vary in their policies for subletting your parking spot. To determine your options, first read your lease. The terms regarding the number of parking spots and your use of those spots should be outlined there.

Apartments with community handbooks may have additional information about your parking rules and rights. Carefully examine all documents before taking steps to sublet your parking spot.

Setting the Price

Once you’ve determined your right to sublet your parking spot, set a fair rental price. The easiest way to do this is to find out what other tenants are currently charging for their spots.

If no one is subletting a parking spot, gather information about the average rate for monthly parking spot rentals in your area. Online message boards, community bulletin boards and local newspapers are all sources where you can find this information.

Advertising a Parking Spot

Unless you know someone who wants to sublet your parking spot, you’ll have to do some work to get the word out about the availability of your spot. Certain options are free, and others will require an advertising fee. If you’re trying to save money, try the free options first.

Post a flier on your apartment’s bulletin boards, advertising your parking spot. Create small tabs at the bottom of the flier so that interested parties can tear off information to take with them. The tabs should say “parking spot for rent,” and contain your phone number and e-mail address.

Soon, people should start contacting you about the parking spot. If not, you’ll need to broaden your reach beyond your apartment complex. Create online advertisements and post fliers in your neighborhood. When advertising outside your complex, don’t forget to mention a location for the parking spot, such as the name of your apartment complex or the street address.

The Subletting Process

Put everything in writing, since verbal agreements are difficult to enforce. You may be able to find a ready-made parking spot subletting document online. Search for sites geared towards landlords who need forms for rental properties. Books about renting property and office supply stores may also have standard subletting forms.

If you create your own subletting document, be sure to include all of the basic information necessary to protect your rights. Include your parking spot number, the start and end dates and monthly rental price. Parking rules should be provided for the subletter, to ensure compliance with your apartment’s rules. Spell out the termination clause. For example, reserve the right to terminate the agreement with thirty days notice, so that you can regain the use of your parking spot, if you need it.

In areas with large numbers of apartment dwellers, there’s a demand for parking spots. Use this to your advantage, if you don’t need your spot, but you need extra cash.

_______________________________________

Lisa Bernstein: As a long-time apartment dweller and seasoned condominium trustee, I have dealt with numerous landlord-tenant, property management, and day-to-day apartment complex issues. My extensive, direct experience has led to invaluable insights into apartment life from both the tenant and management perspectives.

Bedding

A good color scheme for bedding is light green, yellow and white. You can mix and match these colors to suit your preference. In fact, the more you mix things up, the better. Find bed pillows with floral or grass patterns. Use solid white linen to contrast the bed pillows. Used items work just as well for bed decorating when you’re working on a country style theme. Therefore, find creative ways to use what you already have. You can sew on new pillow covers or sew on appliques with country motifs. A handmade quilt is a must for any serious country style bedroom. You can find these brand new, used at yard sales or you can make one yourself. You can use quilts to decorate your bed, as well as the wall behind your bed.

Treasure Chest

Consider putting a treasure chest at the foot of your bed for storage and style. An antique chest works great, but a regular wooden or copper one will look just fine. You can store your linens, night wear or underwear in it. You can keep it shut all the time or leave it open with a small quilt draped around the sides. You can also store your children’s toys and make it a small play area in your room. The visual effect of keeping the chest in your room is very pleasing to the eye, but the storage function is what makes this a good bedroom furniture to have.

Bedroom Furniture

Other bedroom furniture to include are wicker chairs, tables and accessories. The woven design of the furniture gives an authentic country style look. Plain, wooden furniture works just as well. You don’t want metallic, glass or other “modern” bedroom furniture because that will detract from the rural look you’re going for. Wicker furniture can be pricey, so make sure you check yard sales, Craigslist and community message boards for ads posted by individual owners.

House Plants

Unless your allergies prevent this, you should include your favorite plants and fresh flowers in your room. This is a far better choice than decorative objects. You’ll gain even greater satisfaction if you grow and plant them yourself. You can buy small plants from your local greenhouse or the garden department at the supermarket and take care of them. Watching them grow will be fun for you and your family, and gives your room a natural look that will compliment your design. You can place plants on the floor or try hanging baskets from the ceiling if your landlord allows it.

Following these basic principles of creating a country style bedroom design will make your decorating a success. The key is to make it not only reflect the country, but it should also be a reflection of you.

Chinchilla Facts

Chinchillas are rodents whose temperaments are friendly and inquisitive, particularly when bred for domestication. Some facts about chinchillas include:

• Chinchillas are nocturnal, which means that they’re most active at night.
• Chinchillas are not a good pet for young children because they are delicate animals who can easily be injured if handled improperly.
• The proper way to handle a chinchilla is either to hold out both hands in a cup formation and allow the chinchilla to crawl into your palms or to place one hand under its stomach, weaving your thumb around a front leg, and using the second hand to cup its bottom.
• Chinchillas are very sensitive to temperatures; they can die if exposed to too hot (over 75 degrees, especially over 90 degrees) or too cold (below 50 degrees) temperatures. If you don’t live in a moderate climate, your apartment must have air conditioning and/or heating in order to keep the apartment suitable for the chinchilla apartment pets.

Chinchilla Cage

Although chinchillas can and should be allowed to roam around the apartment with supervision for a few hours each day for exercise, chinchilla apartment pets will spend most of the time in a chinchilla cage. The best chinchilla cage is a wire, multi-leveled cage that allows the chinchilla plenty of space to move around. However, the bottom of any wire cage must be covered with a hard plastic or wood surface to avoid food injury.

The chinchilla cage must also be lined with bedding made from materials such as aspen or dried pine (never use cedar) and include nesting materials such as small strips of cardboard, paper and tissues. The chinchilla cage should also have plenty of hard, plastic toys and ledges to keep the chinchilla active. Clean the cage thoroughly at least once a week.

Chinchilla Dust Baths

Chinchilla fur is kept clean, untangled and healthy via dust baths. In the wild, chinchillas roll around in the dust in their native South American environments to clean their chinchilla fur and as apartment pets, chinchillas still need to be able to take dust baths in order to be healthy. Purchase a special chinchilla dust bath mix from a pet store (avoid scented mixes) and cover the bottom of a large deep pan or bowl with the dust. Put your chinchilla inside and let her roll around and have fun in the dust for 10 to 15 minutes twice a week.

Feeding Your Chinchilla

Chinchillas require fresh, distilled water available at all times. Their diet should consist of chinchilla pellets (made from alfalfa or Timothy hay) and loose hay (alfalfa or Timothy hay; the opposite of the pellet ingredient). You can supplement the chinchilla’s diet with specially-formulated chinchilla treats or a raisin, but don’t give her treats more than once a day.

Chinchillas make excellent apartment pets for the apartment dweller. With an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years, they are among the most long-lived rodents and can provide loving companionship for many years to come.

What Are Ionization Smoke Detectors?

The ionization smoke detector represents an impressive new technology for fire alarms. These types of smoke detectors can be cheaper than other alternatives. They are very often used in both homes and commercial spaces.

In an ionization smoke detector, the principle of the device is to detect fires through sampling interior air at a molecular level. The ionization smoke detector contains a very small amount of Americium, a radioactive element that acts in a specific way to maintain a chemical state inside of the smoke detector. When any smoke enters the smoke detector, it disrupts this chemical balance and sets off the alarm.

Are Ionization Smoke Detectors Safe?

Those testifying to the safety of the Americium in ionization smoke detectors say that the alpha rays emitted by this element cannot pass through a solid such as the plastic housing of the smoke detector. Some experts point out that the unlikely case of inhalation or ingestion of this element could be dangerous. However, the commonly accepted scientific standpoint is that ionization smoke detectors are clearly safe for home or commercial use.

Alternatives: Optical Smoke Detectors

A common alternative to an ionization smoke detector is a photoelectric smoke detector, or a similar kind of optical smoke detector. Smoke detectors that work on an optical principle use a beam of light to detect smoke. When smoke enters the smoke detector chamber, it disrupts light particles and causes the alarm to go off. Fire reports say that photoelectric smoke detectors are commonly better at identifying smoldering or smoky fires, and ionization smoke detectors are better at detecting fires that are flaming rather than smoking.

Because these two types of smoke detectors work well on different fire types, lots of homes and commercial spaces are outfitted with both. Fire safety planners also choose from wireless or hard-wired smoke detector units. Both of these may need periodic battery checks to make sure they are working properly. Buyers can also look for units that include carbon monoxide detection, or offer advance alarm systems, like strobe lights, voice alerts or other high tech offerings.

When it’s time to update your fire plan, think about the above types of smoke detection devices for adding fire safety to your house or apartment. You’ll see that lots of fire safety experts recommend a combination photoelectric/ionization device, outfitted with a simple 9 volt battery, for catching all fire types in interior spaces. Along with a good evacuation plan, these handy devices can save lives and help minimize the chances of losing all of your household possessions to a conflagration.

In an indoor garden, choose a kind of tomato variety well suited for that growing area. Crack resistant types of tomatoes, such as the heirloom varieties, Marglobe and Market Champion (or mainstream Park Seed) are good choices. 

Start with Great Soil

Standard potting mix with a teaspoon of hydrated lime will prevent blossom end rot later on in the tomato growing process. 

Plant the Seeds or Small Plants

If you start with seeds, plant them 1/4 inch deep and about 8 seeds per inch. You may want to cover the pots for the first few days to prevent them from drying out. A loose plastic bag or an old plastic milk jug cut open and turned over will do this nicely. Tomato seeds germinate and pop up in 5 to 12 days. Remove any cover you have over them as soon as you can see them pop through the surface. 

Put the Plants under Fluorescent Lighting

The light should be on the seeds/sprouts/plants for 18 to 24 hours a day. Put the light close to them, 4-6 inches from the seeds or the highest point on the plant. 

Fertilize

When plants are a few inches high, give them some 16-16-16 fertilizer at about 600 ppm. 

Control Temperature

Keep the plants at 70-75 degrees during the day and 65-67 degrees at night. 

Transplant

When the plants are 12 inches or more, they may need to be transplanted to one-gallon containers. 

Force Flower

After about 6 to 8 weeks of growing from a seed, the plants will be ready to force flower. Make a final transplant into a 3 gallon pot. Some tomatoes take up to 80 days to begin to fruit, beginning from the time you force flower them. For two weeks, feed them 10-52-70 fertilizer every time you water, at 800 ppm. After that, resume using the 16-16-16 fertilizer at 800 ppm each time you water. 

Pollinate

Pollinate the flowers by hand. An electric toothbrush rubbed against the male anthers (part of the flower) will dislodge the pollen easily, and you can put it on the female carpels (part of the flower). The more pollen fertilizing the plant, the meatier the tomato will be, so do this daily during flowering. 

Prune

Prune off the vines that grow out of the tomato plant during flowering. They suck up nutrients, and pruning them off will  help your tomatoes grow better. 

Hydrated Lime

Once the tomato plants have fruit set, give it another dose of hydrated lime to prevent blossom end rot.

Enjoy!

In 60 to 80 days, you should be enjoying your own delicious tomatoes. 

Growing tomatoes indoors is highly rewarding and delicious, and it’s and a beautiful addition to any home!

Disability Discrimination in Housing Laws

In the U.S., the Fair Housing Act (FHA) is the federal law that protects certain groups of people from housing discrimination. Disability is one of the protected classes under this law. As a disabled person, the FHA grants you rights specific to disability. By familiarizing yourself with the FHA, you can assert your rights when applying to rent an apartment.

Enforcement of the Fair Housing Act

The FHA is enforced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD considers you disabled if you have a physical, mental or developmental disability. They also place you in this class if you have an HIV/AIDS-related illness or if you are a recovering alcoholic or drug addict.

Understanding Your Rights

The FHA guarantees that, as a disabled person, you have equal housing opportunities. This means that your prospective landlord can’t refuse to rent to you because of your disability. They can refuse to rent to you for other reasons, such as income requirements, so you must be certain that their reason for denying your lease application was your disability, and not some other factor.

To determine the cause of their refusal to rent to you, consider the overall situation. Did you meet the income requirements to rent the apartment? Do you have a positive rental history? If the answer to these questions is affirmative, then disability discrimination may have been involved.

Decide whether the apartment would have to be modified in order for you to live there, or whether you need an exception to the apartment building’s rules. If so, these changes might have been the basis for the denial. In this case, you may want to confront the landlord directly. Remind them that the law guarantees you the right to make improvements to the apartment at your own expense, if the changes are necessary for you to live at that location. And, the law also requires the landlord to make accommodations for your disability with respect to the rules. In cases where you can’t resolve the matter with the landlord, consider filing a complaint with HUD.

Filing A Disability Discrimination Complaint

Filing a complaint with HUD is free. A local disability advocacy group may be able to assist you in filing a complaint, as well as determining whether your rights have been violated.

To file your complaint, contact HUD via telephone, mail or through their website. After providing the initial information about your situation, a HUD representative will determine whether your complaint is valid, and if so, will launch an investigation. Then, HUD will work with you and your landlord to resolve the matter fairly for both parties. When discriminated against for your disability, first assert your rights, then file a complaint with HUD to ensure that you are not denied the opportunity to rent an apartment where you want to live.

_______________________________________

Lisa Bernstein: As a long-time apartment dweller and seasoned condominium trustee, I have dealt with numerous landlord-tenant, property management, and day-to-day apartment complex issues. My extensive, direct experience has led to invaluable insights into apartment life from both the tenant and management perspectives.

Average Cost of Renters Insurance

The bottom line is that renters insurance is often not terribly expensive. Many experts put an average somewhere near $30 per month, or one dollar a day. One national agency puts the average renters insurance cost as low as $12 a month for $30,000 of coverage.

Factors in Renters Insurance Costs

With the above in mind, renters insurance costs always change based on specific conditions that insurance companies look at in an underwriting process. In areas of the country more vulnerable to natural disasters, renters insurance premiums may be higher than the average. The same holds true for areas with high crime rates.

Tenants also need to look at what renters insurance will cover. Not all renters insurance policies cover the main hazards that policyholders are thinking about when they sign on with an insurer. Fire and earthquake, flood or theft may not be covered under the terms of a renters insurance contract.

Renters also need to read the fine print about how possessions will be reimbursed in the case of a claim. A renters insurance agreement may include requirements for detailed record-keeping on the purchase of furniture, garments and other possessions in order for these to be covered in the event of a loss and subsequent claim by the policyholder.

More About the Cost of Renters Insurance

Another element that factors into the cost of a renters insurance policy is a deductible. A deductible is something that is standard in almost all insurance policies. It basically shifts more of the payment burden to the policyholder for compensating on any claim is made. For example, with a $1000 deductible, the renter would have to pay $1000 on a property loss incident before the insurer would pay the balance. Each household signing onto a renters insurance policy has to look carefully at the deductible as a means of lowering a premium, while keeping in mind that they would be responsible for this amount in any loss situation.

Why Get Renter’s Insurance?

Agencies that look into why tenants fail to get renters insurance find two things: vague ideas of cost keep many from recognizing that renters insurance is one of the cheapest insurance products on the market. Another big obstacle to a lot of renters is the misconception that a landlord’s property insurance would pay out for their loss in a disaster. In the vast majority of cases, this is untrue, and renters without a renters insurance policy would get no compensation for loss of their possessions. Tenants without a good renters insurance policy for their home should look into getting a renters insurance policy for knowing that their investment in their homes is covered.

1. Short Term Housing

You may need a short term rental (a rental period shorter than one year) in several situations where temporary housing is required. For instance, when you’re displaced in an emergency, such as a fire. Or when an educational opportunity requires you to live in another state for a short period of time. In any situation where you must move on short notice, you should consider a short term rental.

2. Corporate Housing

Whether you’re an executive or an employee whose job requires working in another city, you may benefit from a short term rental. If you’re required go out-of-town on a temporary assignment, a short term rental will provide living arrangements more similar to a home than a hotel.

Many companies specialize in assisting executives who need short term housing. These companies can customize your living arrangements to include services such as high-speed Internet access, telephone service or cable TV.

When permanently relocating to another state, a short term rental allows you to begin working in your new job immediately, while giving you more time to hunt for a permanent home. This option is more flexible than having to hunt for a home, in a strange area, before relocating.

3. A Hotel Alternative

At times, you may have to stay in another city to assist a friend or family member in need. A short term rental apartment is usually a less expensive alternative to a hotel. In this scenario, it will also be easier to set up a home away from home. Arranging your living situation this way allows you to provide assistance to someone else, while keeping up with your work or other personal responsibilities.

4. Vacation Apartments

Any time you’re traveling domestically or abroad, a short term rental apartment may be a better option than staying in a hotel. An apartment gives you more living space, which is ideal if you’re traveling with your family or planning to entertain. It’s also a great way to lower the cost of your vacation.

Having a kitchen in your apartment permits you to eat in, thereby reducing your food costs. The availability of a washer and dryer in the rental apartment lets you pack less clothing. Bringing fewer suitcases reduces your travel expenses.

If you’re traveling to another country, renting an apartment provides a more authentic experience of what it’s like to live in that culture. By setting up a home, rather than living in a hotel, you can save money on meals and services, while acquiring a more realistic feel for how the locals live.

5. Remodeling Your Home

Major remodeling of your current home can create an unlivable environment. In such cases, renting an apartment short term will reduce the amount of disruption in your daily life and make it easier for your contractor to complete the remodeling work.

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Lisa Bernstein: As a long-time apartment dweller and seasoned condominium trustee, I have dealt with numerous landlord-tenant, property management, and day-to-day apartment complex issues. My extensive, direct experience has led to invaluable insights into apartment life from both the tenant and management perspectives.

Know What You’ll Have to Work with

Before you move, get the apartment dimensions from a landlord or, if going away for college, the admissions office, so you can have a better idea of what can fit in your apartment. A large attractive vanity table will suddenly seem just pompous and cramped when you try to fit it into an apartment where it takes up half of a wall. Forget about bringing large furniture if possible. Also, you may find that your apartment is already furnished with basic furniture and appliances. Check with the landlord or school to see if furniture and appliances are included so that you can omit them from your apartment move in checklist. If you’re going to have roommates, contact them before you move in and try to split responsibility for bringing some items you can share (appliances, dishware, furniture, gaming systems, etc.) equally. This can greatly reduce the length of your move in checklist!

Things to Omit from the Apartment Move-In Checklist

While everyone’s situation is unique (you may find out you do have space and/or do need to bring some of the below items), there are a few common items you can typically omit from an apartment move in checklist. You can omit even more if you find out that the apartment is already furnished with necessary items or your roommates are going to bring some items you can share.

Leave the following behind, unless you find out you do need them:

• Overly bulky furniture (you must make the most of your new small space, so look for smaller, storage-friendly furniture)
• Bed and mattress (if provided by the college or apartment building)
• Desk and lamp (if provided by the college or apartment building)
• Dresser (if provided by the college or apartment building)
• More than a few bookshelves’ worth of books (books are heavy to move and take up storage space)
• Items you don’t often use (you can bring a few trinkets to decorate, but don’t go overboard; you won’t have a lot of space)
• A lot of unnecessary but sentimental items (bring a few sentimental items, but keep the rest in storage; if you don’t use it, you simply won’t have the space)
• More than one or two posters or works of art (you can make a bland apartment attractive with a central focal point on the wall; too many posters and art and you just have a noisy, cluttered mess)

Your apartment move in checklist should reflect your new apartment life: simple, uncluttered and space-saving. Remember that your new apartment is likely smaller than your home, so don’t make moving a hassle by burdening yourself with bulky and/or unnecessary items.

1. Shut Off Your Lights

Many people know that you should shut off the lights when you’re not using them. However, they don’t actually do it all the time because it takes hard work to monitor and shut off all the lights not being used. A simple way to reduce energy consumption is to make it a habit to shut off all the lights in your apartment that you’re not using. No matter how inconvenient it is, or whether it interrupts your work, study or entertainment, if you implement this one strategy you’ll see your electricity bill go down a bit.

2. Use Window Plastic Seal

As a tenant, you don’t have control over the water boiler and you can’t add more insulation to your apartment building. You can, however, seal any windows in the apartment using plastic. There are kits that you can buy from any supermarket or hardware store that carry enough plastic sheets for you to cover your windows. You’ll need a blow dryer because the heat acts as an adhesive. This works to keep cold air out so that your source of electricity, such as baseboard or central heat, doesn’t have to work harder to combat the extra cold air coming through your windows.

3. Unplug Appliances

Unplug all appliances that you’re not using. It’s not enough to turn the appliances off because small amounts of electricity are still being used when you leave it plugged in. It’s also not enough to turn off the switch on surge protectors. Come up with a time every day where you go around your apartment and unplug everything you’re not using. You can schedule this just before you go to bed. Throughout the day you can work on unplugging appliances after you use them. This simple tip will help you to reduce energy consumption from unsuspecting sources.

4. Cook and Freeze

This strategy will help you with your electric bill and food bill at the same time. Select one or two days a week to cook all of your meals for the week or month. Freeze meal-sized portions, and microwave each one when you’re ready to eat. There are many free menus and recipes online that you can use for ideas to make meals from scratch, as well as tips on what to freeze. 

5. Change How You Dry

A dryer is a great appliance to have in your apartment. However, you have to be wise about how you use your dryer if you want to reduce your electricity bill. Two things you can do is to make sure that you only dry full loads and clear the lint trap after every use. You should also use a clothing line if possible, or buy a wooden rack to hang towels, underwear and other clothing to air dry.

The extra work it takes to reduce energy consumption is worth the savings you’ll see in your electricity bill. Let this be your motivation as you labor to implement these five strategies.

1 - Secrets Are out in the Open

If you date your roommate, be aware that it is much more difficult to keep secrets, if it is even possible at all. Secrets can be about anything that you wouldn’t be totally open with someone about. For example, it could be that you are in credit card debt, or it could be a relationship indiscretion. Whatever the secret is, if you are dating and living together, it is harder to keep. That being said, if your relationship is a good one, there should be no secrets really worth keeping.

2 - Somewhat Embarrassing Moments Become Very Embarrassing

If you are living with your romantic interest, suddenly all those sort of embarrassing moments, for example, bodily functions and bodily noises, may become way more embarrassing. This is natural. There are certain things couples don’t do in front of each other right away, and it takes time to build up to that comfort level. However, perhaps you are just so totally comfortable with each other, this won’t happen. Then, you’re in luck.

3 - The Boundaries Beware

When you have a roommate, certain boundaries are established. For example, if you share a bathroom, that doesn’t mean that you share shampoo or toothpaste. f you are living with your boyfriend or girlfriend though, boundaries like this are sure to be crossed. Be prepared to share your space and your stuff.

4 - Friends First, Friends After

Many people think that if you were friends with your boyfriend or girlfriend prior to dating, and you break up, you can be friends after. This is a nice thought, but it isn’t always the case. It is important to consider this before dating your roommate. If you break up, you may lose a boyfriend or girlfriend, a friend, and a roommate. If the apartment is not in your name, it is especially important to remember that if you get into a fight or break up with your significant other, you may find yourself looking for a new place to live rather quickly.

5 - Living Together and Sharing a Room

You need to make a decision, once romantically involved with your roommate, if you will continue to live in separate rooms, or if you will be sharing a room. This seems like a simple decision, but once you decide to share room, it is very difficult to go back without causing a relationship rift. Try keeping separate rooms, and gradually move towards sharing a room, should the desire present itself.

6 - Too Much of a Good Thing

Even when you are head over heels for your significant other, you sometimes want some time alone. When you live together, you are together constantly, and it can be harder to get this alone time. You need to remember that because you live together, you don’t need to plan to see each other. Take advantage of this, and get alone time outside of the apartment.

Make sure to consider the pros and cons before deciding to make the dating decision.

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Emily Gojko: I am a writer, marketer, and manager with a strong background in real estate development and management. I am also a native New Yorker with an obsession for home design shows, so I have personal and professional experience making the most of small spaces, and dealing with good and bad living situations.

All Processes and Rules Surrounding Paying the Rent and the Bills

Most people choose to live with roommates for financial reasons, hence it’s important to outline all money-related issues. You should outline how the rent will be split, how the utilities will be divided and who will be in charge of making sure both get paid on time each month. On a similar note, you should come to an agreement with decisions that will ultimately affect utility prices, like how high or low to set the temperature and how many times a week you should run the dishwasher.

How Household Chores Will Be Divided

Cleanliness is another hot issue. Whereas one person may not mind piles and a messy living space, such a scenario could drive the other insane. Your roommate agreement should cover how often the apartment should be cleaned and who will be in charge of certain chores. You may decide that you’ll trade off duties, in which case you should say so in the document. You may also want to set ground rules if one person is particularly clean, such as a “no dirty dishes left in the sink” rule or “no piles of belongings in the common areas” rule.

Rules Concerning Using One Another’s Belongings

Are you okay with your roommate occasionally using your shampoo? How does your roommate feel about you using his or her favorite coffee mug and reading his or her magazines and books? These seem like trivial things, but it’s best to make sure you’re all on the same page.

Any Rules Pertaining to Noise Level and Guests

Even if you both already know your lifestyles are compatible, it’s best to still put everything in writing. Make sure you have an understanding of when you’re both comfortable having guests over-and if overnight stays are a non-issue. Also, decide what kind of noise is tolerable. Parties on the weekends may be fine, but the noise may need to be controlled during the weeknights.

Privacy and Use of Shared Spaces

Especially in the case of a shared bathroom, you and your roommate may need to come to an agreement concerning its use if you have similar schedules. You’ll likely have to come up with a shower schedule. Also decide how you wish to share the television and common areas, if necessary. Privacy is important to discuss if either of you has a significant other staying over frequently. Make sure both parties feel comfortable and respected in the space.

A roommate agreement is an important tool for a peaceful living arrangement. Use these categories as starting points and see where your discussion takes you.

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Rachael Weiner: I’m a communications professional for a non-profit, which financially necessitates my status as an apartment dweller. Constantly “on-the-go,” I’ve resided in five different apartments across the United States over the past five years. Roommate issues, budgeting, organizing and handling problem neighbors are my specialty.

Renters Insurance: What You Pay For and What You Get

According to most renters insurance quotes, the average price of this kind of insurance product is often around a dollar a day, for monthly payments of $30 or so. In the grand scheme of things, this is not a high cost. However, when you look at the cost of rental insurance, you’ll also want to look at what you will get.

One disadvantage of paying for this kind of policy is that you’re very unlikely to use it in any given month or year. Renters insurance is a kind of “catastrophic policy” that provides for the kind of large unfortunate situations that no one is really expecting. That’s not always the case against renters insurance, but it’s something to keep in mind.

In addition, there is the bigger issue of what an insurer will reasonably pay in the event of a claim. When renters look thoroughly at the fine print of a renters insurance agreement, they may see that there are specific requirements for getting a claim paid out. This may include detailed record-keeping on the prices of household purchases that some people may not consider reasonable. Without this kind of documentation, a person with renters insurance still may not get very much compensation in the event of damage to their personal possessions.

Renters also have to look at what kind of events are covered in a policy and what is not covered. Some renters insurance policies do not include things like fire, flood, theft or other situations where the renters insurance policy would be most useful.

Moving Around: Looking at Rental History in Deciding about Rental Insurance

Another downside to renters insurance is that it’s not a kind of insurance product that travels with an individual. Renters insurance is meant to cover a specific space for a specific household. Every time you move, you need to arrange new renters insurance coverage. That’s not a big deal if the household has settled down for long term rental in a location, but for some kinds of renters, such as college students and itinerant workers, this kind of insurance may not seem to make sense, because of all the time that must be spent arranging coverage for each rental location.

Think about the above when it’s time to consider renters insurance, and come to your own conclusions about whether this kind of policy works for you.

Living in Boston’s North End

The North End is the Little Italy of Boston. Italian restaurants are abundant, as are the European influences. It is also important to know that this area of Boston is the oldest neighborhood in Boston.

There is a lot of history and charm in Boston’s North End. Some famous sites located here include The Paul Revere House and Copp’s Burial Ground. So, if you are a history buff that loves to eat, you’ll love Boston’s North End. The area is still considered one of the largest residential areas in Boston, and is still home to many Italian Americans, as well as young professionals.

Another perk of the North End is that is offers access to the waterfront, including Christopher Columbus park where many shows are done in the summer months. The area also has easy access to Boston’s downtown, for which public transportation is available.

Living in Boston’s Downtown

Downtown Boston is truly where all the action is. You have a plethora of shopping and dining, as well as parks and the Boston Common and Public Garden. The Common is where the famous Freedom Trail begins. So there is an endless amount of fun stuff to do in Downtown Boston, and it is easy to get around with public transportation.

That being said, Downtown is also home to Boston’s major business and financial district. Many large corporations have headquarter offices here, and the area is often referred to as the Financial District. If you are a young professional, really looking to make your mark in the world, or an executive that is relocating, Downtown Boston would be a great fit. Be prepared for higher rental prices here, as you pay for the convenience of being in the center of it all.

Living in Boston’s Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill is a mostly residential section of Boston. There are many older homes with great architectural style and details. Charles Street is also great for antique shopping and boutique shopping. This Boston neighborhood is relatively small, but is absolutely beautiful, and is a great place to live if you want to be in the city of Boston, while retaining a somewhat more suburban feel. If you have a family with younger children, Beacon Hill may be a great place for you to settle down.

Living in Boston’s Back Bay

Back Bay is a classy place to be. It is filled with upscale art galleries, fancy restaurants and expensive shops. There are historical spots too, such as the Gibson House and the Institute of Contemporary Art. If you are a people watcher, then Boston’s Back Bay is where you want to be. It is not uncommon to spot famous people strolling the streets of this Boston neighborhood. If you are looking for a trendier spot with lots to do, and easy access to the downtown area through public transportation, consider Boston’s Back Bay.

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Emily Gojko: I am a writer, marketer, and manager with a strong background in real estate development and management. I am also a native New Yorker with an obsession for home design shows, so I have personal and professional experience making the most of small spaces, and dealing with good and bad living situations.

Write a Moving Checklist

There’s no way you can start planning your move effectively without a moving checklist. A moving checklist should be two-fold:

1. Write down all of the things you need to do in the time before you move.
2. Write a smaller moving checklist detailing all of the items you’ll be grabbing at the last minute; this should include items (such as toiletries) you’ll be using until the last minute and items such as your important documents that you’ll be keeping with you so they don’t get lost.

Two Weeks Before You Move

You should start checking off things on your checklist no later than two weeks before your move. The first two steps on your checklist should be:

1. Acquire packing boxes and materials; you can get them for free from grocery stores and warehouse stores (speak with the manager on duty) or from classified ads posted by people who have recently moved.
2. Begin sorting items (one room at a time) into four categories: keep (items to pack and bring with you in the new home; you should use these frequently); store (items of true sentimental value that you don’t use often); sell/donate (items in good condition that you no longer frequently use) and throw out (items in poor condition).

The “store” category is optional and should not be very large; you can plan to store these items in a storage facility or just in a few storage boxes in a closet in your new home. For every two items you keep, you should put at least one item in the sell/donate or throw away piles. Planning your move effectively means taking less stuff with you to the new place, which will decrease the amount and weight of the items you move.

One Week Before You Move

While planning your move the week before you move, you should be concentrating on the following two steps on your moving checklist:

1. Holding a garage sale to clear out your sell/donate pile or taking the sell/donate pile to a charity.
2. Packing the keep and store piles effectively. Pack according to the room in which the items will be used.

Color coordinate the boxes with tape or color marker (red = living room, blue = kitchen, etc.) so you can clearly see which room the boxes should be placed in at your new home. Wrap breakables carefully and use the space in a box effectively but don’t overpack. Heavy boxes of books, for example, can break during moving or become too difficult to lift.

Planning your move ahead of time can save you time, energy and even money. The more efficient packing job you do, the less time you’ll spend packing and unpacking and the less money you’ll have to pay movers for their services.

Mounting Brackets

Finding a mounting bracket for your TV is an important first step. This bracket is available from the dealer where you purchased your TV, or simply search online for your TV’s model number and brand. Some brackets are specific for only certain types of walls, so make sure the wall you plan to hang the TV on is listed on the bracket’s hanging information. 

Cable Conduit

If you are not going to put your cables behind the wall, you can get a clean look by getting a cable keeper or conduit to run all the cables behind as they hang down from the TV to the outlet or floor. If you have a DVD player or cable box/DVR box you want to hang on the wall as well, getting a wall mounted electronic shelf with cable column combined will allow you to solve both problems at once. The shelving looks great hanging just to the side of your wall-mounted flat TV.

Basic Steps

1. Find the wall studs. While some people can find these reliably by knocking on the wall and listening for the hollow sound indicating the space between studs, it is a better idea to pick up an inexpensive stud finder (less than $20) from the hardware store. With a pencil, mark off both sides of every stud that runs across the wall you plan to hang the TV on. It is important that you will be using the very center of the stud to hold the weight of the TV. 
2. Using a level, put marks in the center of each stud that runs across the span the TV mounting bracket will hang on. These marks, best if you use an X so the center is clear, will be where the screws are. Be careful that you are specific with your marks, or the TV will hang crooked when you are finished. 
3. Use large screws to hang the mount. #14 screws are a good choice, if your mounting bracket doesn’t come with screws already. Once you install the wall portion of the mounting bracket with the screws, check the bracket to make sure it is level. If it is not, take it down and try again. It is highly important that it be level. 
4. If you are running the cables behind the wall, cut a hole in the drywall now to run cables. Otherwise, install the cable keeper or skip this step. You can always use zip ties to keep the cables in a clean looking cluster. 
5. Install the TV portion of the mount on the back of the TV. Check to make sure these are firmly in place. 
6. Hang the TV on the mount. 
7. Connect the cables and admire your work. 

1. Country Living

If you enjoy the homey and comfortable look of the countryside, then you should consider redecorating your living room with a country living theme. Some living room furniture to include are wooden end tables and a rocking chair. Quilts are a great replacement for artwork and can make a great focal point in your living room. Armour chairs and oak wood chairs will also add to your country home decor. Country green drapes with lace underneath will give the room a nice touch.

2. Modern Decor

The living room furniture and design of a modern decor is the exact opposite of a country living theme. You want bright colors on your walls, your accessories or your furniture. Glass end tables with your magazines and favorite books add to the modern home decor. Colorful or abstract artwork gives the living room a modern touch. Primary color vases filled with colorful fresh or fake flowers also help to give your living room a modern look. Another alternative is to stick with all white throughout the entire living room, although this is not a good color choice if you have children.

3. English Country Style

If you like the more rustic look, this theme is a good choice for you. The colors in the English country style theme are usually dark browns and reds. You should also use wooden furniture and lots of patterns for drapes, cushions and other accessories. If you enjoy collecting things, you can display them in your living room to complete the look. Display them on your mantels or tables for you and your guests to enjoy.

4. Chinese Style

If you want a dramatic change, why not pick a Chinese design theme. The main colors of your living room will be red, with yellow to accentuate it. You can use dark wood furniture throughout and put paper lanterns on the end tables. You can also find jars and other knick-knacks made of porcelain to decorate mantels or fireplaces, and you can put larger ones on the floor in a corner or two.

5. Victorian Style

This is a great option if you want your living room to be a haven for the entire family. You can use purple, green or red for this theme. Use area rugs with flowers to give it a 19th century look. Large chairs with round edges add to the Victorian style, and your young children will be safer because they won’t bump into sharp angles in your furniture. Use velvet couch cushions that will be pleasing to the eye and soft for your family to enjoy.

Once you pick a theme, take your time and gather materials and living room furniture as you come across great deals. Redecorating living rooms can be affordable if you exercise a lot of patience.

1. Automatic Indoor Timer

One way to combine your efforts to protect your apartment from burglars and to save money on your electric bill, is to use an automatic indoor timer. All you have to do is plug one in, and set it to the time you want your lights to come on. It will turn your lights on when you’re not home. A good timer will have multiple on and off settings, allowing you to program the timer in a way that makes it look more authentic. For example, you don’t want to set a timer to turn on all of your lights at once. This will be obvious to anyone monitoring your apartment that you’re using a timer, and that you’re not actually home. You’ll also save money because you won’t have to leave the lights on in your apartment all the time.

2. Magnetic Vent Covers

Central air and heat can be great to have in your apartment. However, it can cost you more money if you don’t use it wisely. One way to cut costs is to use magnetic vent covers. These do exactly what they sound like: Cover your vents. You want to get enough covers for every vent in your apartment. Then, cover the vents in the rooms you aren’t using. This will result in less energy being used, which will save you money.

3. Space Heaters

An alternative to using central heat or baseboards all the time, is using portable space heaters. This an affordable energy saving product that you can get at most department, home improvement or hardware stores. These should be used for short term purposes, and you shouldn’t sleep with them running (unless it has an automatic shut off) for safety reasons. For example, if you’re going to be working at your desk for a couple of hours, you can use the portable heater to warm you up. It might be cold in the rest of your apartment, but you’re not going to be using those rooms for a while. When you leave your central heat running in those other rooms, you waste energy and money.

4. Energy Saving Light Bulbs

There’s a debate over whether energy saving light bulbs, such as the ones with the Energy Star stamp, actually save you money. These include LEDs and fluorescent light bulbs. If you’re wondering whether to replace your old light bulbs or keep using them, the answer is to try both alternatives and see what works. For example, it might be better to use LED lights for your flashlight, but not for your desk lamps. It might be better to use a bulb that has lower watts instead of switching over to fluorescent light bulbs. The key is to make sure you don’t excessively use your lights. That’s where the big savings are. Turn off your lights and only use them when you need to.

You can buy any of these energy saving products at your local store or favorite online store, such as www.Amazon.com. Like anything else you have to buy, shop around for the best prices. Try to save money on the products, as well as your utility bills.

Ferret Facts

Ferrets aren’t always the most frequently selected apartment pets because of a few negative myths, including that they’re ill-tempered and smell bad. However, ferrets are weasels long bred for domestication; properly cared-for ferrets who live happy, relaxing lives are no more likely than the common pet dog or cat to have moments in which they display a bad temper. They do elicit a strong odor from their anal glands when frightened, but the best cared-for ferrets are not often frightened enough to give off this odor. When released, the scent is relatively quick to dissipate and won’t stain apartment furnishings. Do, however, make sure that your state allows for ferret ownership. Some states ban ferret ownership-not because of ferret ferocity but because there is no effective rabies shot for ferrets and because the states are afraid of non-fixed ferrets escaping, breeding and reeking havoc on local birdlife-but others just require that you have your ferrets spayed or neutered, which is a good idea regardless, as this will decrease moodiness and scent marking.

Preparing Your Home for Ferrets

As ideal apartment pets, ferrets can spend most of the day in their cages, so their cages should be comfortable environments. Get a multi-level wire cage and line the flooring with linoleum tiles or carpet. You should fill the cage with ferret furniture, like hammocks, to give your ferret some places to explore and play. You can also include a litter pan if your ferret is litter-trained. Ferrets are good escape artists, so make sure the latch is secure!

Feeding Your Ferrets

Ferrets are carnivore apartment pets that have difficulty digesting any plant life. Ferrets also have a fast metabolism, so they should have access to food and fresh water at all times. Their diet should be high in fat and protein. Look for dried ferret food kibble, which you can supplement with wet canned ferret food as an occasional treat. Do not feed your ferret cat food if you can find food designed specifically for ferrets.

Playing with Your Ferrets

Ferrets require at least three hours of exercise and interaction outside of their cages every day. Watch out for electrical cords and small holes that might entice your curious ferret. Ferrets will play with cat toys like balls and dangling toys on strings. They also will have a blast with something as simple as a PVCC pipe, a cardboard box or a paper bag. They even like rattles and other hard, plastic toys intended for human children (just don’t share the toys with children). You can put some hard toys with no little parts in your ferret’s cage, but always supervise your ferret with something like the dangling toys because they may get tangled up.

Ferrets make loving apartment pets when their owners are properly prepared for their care and companionship. Responsible apartment dwellers will find that ferrets make an excellent addition to their home.