Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
You see recycling signs everywhere. There are centers set up to contain recycling materials in practically every community across the nation. A survey, however, has confirmed that some areas are still not as knowledgeable about recycling as other.
Convenience is a must for today’s society. It is also a must for recycling programs. If you have to drive miles out of your way, just to drop off your recycling, you are much less likely to take the time to do so.
It has been estimated that the average American will produce more than four pounds of garbage every day. That translates to an average of 1,500 pounds of garbage every year for each person. The national statistics are around 200 million tons of garbage every single day. Cities are now debating on where all this garbage should be stored. In light of the fact that it takes an average of 500 years for aluminum to break down, that’s a very long-term decision to make.
Drive by any landfill, and you’re likely to see that overflow has become a nationwide problem. Cities have resulted to burning their waste, which really isn’t a solution at all considering the impact of air pollution that this can produce.
Incinerators often produce a variety of toxic ash which must then be stored elsewhere, which creates a garbage cycle. Environmentalists have determined that almost 70% of this waste could be recycled. There should be something that we as consumers can to help with the recycling process whether we have a recycling center in our community or not.
The next time you go to the grocery store, instead of using one of their plastic bags, bring your own bag. Or if you only have one or two items, don’t use a bag at all. While you’re shopping, look for products that have the recycle logo on them. They will sometimes be a bit more expensive, but the end result is definitely worth the means. Avoid purchasing paper plates and cups and plastic utensils. They provide you with a shortcut at dishwashing time, but they also create needless waste.
Many grocery stores and healthfood stores offer items sold in bulk. You should take full advantage of these items. They avoid producing waste, and they are often less expensive when you consider how much product you are getting for the price.
Before you purchase food or anything else, consider how long it will last. It is much more cost-effective for your bank account, as well as the environment to save your money and purchase long-lasting, more durable items that produce less waste.
Consider installing a trash compactor. They don’t completely eliminate waste; however, they can reduce the amount of garbage that you need to dispose of. You don’t have to throw everything into your trash compactor. You can call your utility district to find out what materials will be safe when put down your garbage disposal.
If you don’t have a recycling center near you, you can still help with the process. Buy separate containers to put newspapers, glass, plastic, and aluminum in. Let your family get involved. Children love the job of sorting things out.
Set a specific day each week to drop off your recyclables at your nearest center. If you set the same day each week, it will be easier to remember — and honor.
To help illustrate the significance that your individual efforts can have on the environment, consider the following facts
• Two plastic soft-drink bottles create enough polyester for a baseball cap.
• One recycled glass bottle saves enough energy to illuminate a 100-watt light bulb for four hours.
• A recycled park bench contains approximately 1,000 bottles and jugs.
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
Last year a new federal requirement was put into effect that requires water companies to inform consumers exactly what the drinking water contains. This requirement is part of the Safe Drinking Water Act amendments, which were passed in 1996.
Before the government began requiring water companies to keep us informed, they were still obligated to provide some information. Now, however, the guidelines are much stricter. The companies are required to test for pollutants and substances that affect drinking water quality.
Water sample results must be made readily available, and the identity of the source of the contaminants must be disclosed. Water must be tested for organic compounds, pesticides, and different types of bacteria and metals.
While these reports require some time to review, they can easily be understood. If you find out that your drinking water contains levels of contaminants, you should demand answers from your local utility company. Ask them why the levels are so high and what they are doing to lower them.
The point is that these newly required reports will have no value if you fail to sit down and read them and understand them. After all, you are drinking this water. You need to understand what it is that you are being asked to consume.
Always read and understand any material that has been given to you regarding your drinking water. And if your questions aren’t answered by these materials, then ask them of your local utility district, and demand answers to your questions.
Most times the reports will reveal that everything is ok. If you need to, you can recruit your neighbors and hire an attorney. If you split the cost with your neighborhood, the cost won’t seem so great, and you can bet that your utility district will have an attorney.
Simply detecting a pollutant in the water does not necessarily mean that it’s unsafe. Even very small amounts of certain contaminants have to be reported under this new law. Most often, these small amounts won’t hurt you.
Recently water supply companies have invested billions in order to improve the drinking water treatment and distribution systems. A network of government agencies has also been given the responsibility of ensuring that the public water supply remains safe.
The EPS gone to work and established water standard for more than 80 different contaminants. The standards now limit the amount of each substance that can be present in drinking water. If an amount exceeds the standards, then action must be taken to lower them.
MCLs were created based on health-risk assessments. The assessments are premised on a calculation of the extent of exposure which will likely make a specified number of persons ill in a given population. Generally, people believe that this is a fair methodology. Unless, of course, you are one of the small number of people who actually becomes sick as a result of exposure.
Remember, you have the right to know exactly what you and your family are drinking. You are the one paying for this water. Make it a point to read the quality reports and understand them. If you receive a report that has a trace of contamination, contact your utility district and find out what measures are being taken to ensure your safety. Water should be clear - Crystal Clear.
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
If your home were contaminated with an environmental hazard, would you know? Finding out is not easy. Specific information about individual properties is scarce. There is disagreement over the extent of the danger of some chemicals, and the information on the internet is from mitigation contractors or some other biased source.
That aside, here are six government-operated and nonprofit Web sites that can help you learn more about healthy homes and home environmental hazards.
1. The United States Environmental Protection Agency
• http://www.epa.gov
The EPS has a website that is full of information about energy efficient homes. There is also information about radon, household waste management, recycling, lead contamination, drinking water, and much, much more. There is also a FAQ section about the property rights of people who own homes near a superfund clean up site.
2. Health House
• http://www.healthhouse.org
The Health House website was developed by the American Lung Association of Minnesota to raise the standards of indoor air quality and energy efficiency in new homes. There are features on home pollutants, along with tips on building a healthy house.
3. National Safety Council
• http://www.nsc.org
The National Safety Council educates the public on a variety of safety issues for the home, as well as the workplace and community. The website has information about indoor quality, lead poisoning, and hazardous chemicals. You can also buy a test kit for radon.
4. United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
• http://www.hud.org
This website is full of consumer information regarding housing and buying homes.
5. The American Homeowners Association
• http://www.ahahome.com
This site has resources for general homeowner information on a variety of different subjects. They focus on do-it-yourself tips and ideas.
6. Environmental Guidebook
• http://www.traverse.com/envguide/cover.html
This is particularly helpful for people in the area of Traverse, Michigan, but the Prevention and Discovery chapter is very broadly applicable.
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
For many people the 1031 exchanges are complicated and sometimes scary and confusing. The rules are somewhat different from what the average taxpayer is accustomed to. However, they don’t have to be confusing. The logic behind them is really quite simple.
First, let’s identify that a tax exchange is simply a method of trading one property for another and having the tax deferred. Whereas in a normal real estate transaction, the profit gained from the sale would be taxable, if you didn’t qualify for exemption. In an exchange, you don’t actually pay tax, because you aren’t actually gaining any money, you’re simply exchanging one property for another.
Section 1034 has been around for a while. You may have heard of it. It deals with your personal residence, and states that if you sell your home, you have two years to purchase a new one, and as long as you buy a property that is of equal or more value, your gain will roll over from your old property to your new one, and your tax is deferred.
Section 1031 is right beside Section 1034 in the Internal Revenue Code, and it basically does the same thing for investment properties that Section 1034 does for personal real estate properties.
There are 6 vital differences between the Section 1034 for personal real estate and Section 1031 for investment real estate. You should be informed of these differences to see if you qualify for a 1034 exchange.
1. Both properties have to be investment properties. Vacation homes and rental properties are considered investment properties.
2. You have 45 days from the date of closing to make a list of properties that you would like to buy. Ideally this list should include at least 2 or 3 different properties.
3. You have 180 days from the date of closing to buy a new property, and that property must be included in your 45 day list.
4. You are not allowed to touch the money. It must be held by a “qualified intermediary” who will be responsible for the paperwork required to document the exchange.
5. The title must remain the same. Whoever held title to the old property must end up as the title holder of the new property.
6. You must reinvest all cash received from the transfer of property. The new property must at least be equal in value to the net sales of the old property. If it isn’t you will be required to pay tax on the difference.
Follow these guidelines, and enjoy your tax deduction.
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
Most buyers take possession of their new homes the day of closing. The keys are handed over from the seller. You do not need to wait to move into your new home until you receive the deed. It will be mailed to you from the recorder’s office and could take days or weeks to arrive.
Many times, the date of possession is used as a negotiating tool in the sales transaction. The buyer may allow the seller to stay in the home after closing, in exchange for a price reduction. If the buyer needs to move in early, the seller may prepare an occupancy agreement, which is a sort of lease on the property. The agreement would cover the time in which the buyer intends to move into the home before the closing date. This is normally done on a weekly basis.
Sometimes it does occur that the seller must stay on in the property after the close of escrow. His new house may not have closed escrow, or he may need additional time to move out. These arrangements should be made between the buyer and seller prior to close of escrow and the instructions given to the escrow agent. You may want your lawyer to review any lease addendum agreements, to be sure that you cannot be held responsible for possible liabilities or damages which may occur.
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
Moving fairy? What moving fairy? There is no magical creature that is going to come in and snap her fingers, or wave her wand, and poof! All your packing is over. Yeah Right. You have obviously never moved before.
YOU have to pack. But, rest assured, here are some tips to help you along:
1. Start early - Packing will always take longer than you anticipated, so the sooner you get started, the sooner you’ll get finished. Start days, or even weeks for unused items, ahead of time, so you won’t be running around on moving day, still tossing things into boxes.
2. Ask your mover for advice - Moving companies have experience with packing. Ask them for tip sheets, timelines, and information about the latest and best packing materials.
3. Clear out the clutter - It makes no sense to pack items that you don’t want. Before you start your packing, go throughout your entire home, and reduce your clutter. A good rule of thumb for clothing is - if it’s something that you haven’t worn in the last 6 months, and then throw it out.
4. Dispose of hazardous materials - Motor oil, paint, solvents, fireworks, insecticides, and household chemicals should not be packed or moved with your household items. Go through your home and remove these items, so that they don’t end up in your moving boxes. If you suspect that something may be dangerous, dispose of it properly.
5. Mark your boxes - Use colored markets or labels to indicate what boxes go in what rooms. Also, pack an essentials kit that contains paper plates, plastic forks and spoons, toilet paper, soap, aspirin, flashlights, telephone numbers, prescription medicines, pet food, snacks, and any other comfort item that you want to be easily accessible. Mark the box “OPEN FIRST” in very large letters.
6. Tie your cords - Packing and unpacking can be tricky enough without the hustle of untangling electrical cords. Wrap each cord around your hand and then use rubber bands or twist-ties to secure them.
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
It can be difficult to remember everything that needs to be done when you are moving. You have packing to do, cleaning, and even if you have the proverbial memory of an elephant, you will forget something. Forgetting something is fine…just don’t let it be changing your address.
There are two ways to change your address:
The Hard Way: You can go down to your local post office and pick up a change of address form. Fill it out, buy postage for it, and mail it by the time you are supposed to avoid having your mail delayed.
The Easy Way: Visit MoveCentral.com! This company has created a simple, easy to follow service to save you time and money that is typically wasted on changing your address. Instead of worrying about making it to the Post Office while they’re still open and filling out the card, you can change everything online whenever you have a chance, and it’s free!
Before you register for this service, you will need to comprise an address list of all groups you receive mail from. Think of your Alumni Organizations, Catalogs, Newspapers, Magazines, Clubs, Credit Cards and National Organizations.
MoveCentral will contact 5 companies for you or 500 companies. How ever many you need are fine. There are no restrictions. They will contact any company you want within 24 hours of your request. They will even notify your local Post Office.
Please note that just because the companies are contacted immediately, that doesn’t mean that they will act immediately. You need to give companies 4 to 6 weeks of advanced warning that you are moving.
Also Remember To:
1. change your driver’s license
2. Change your checks to reflect the new address
3. Visit www.fec.gov so you can register to vote
4. Notify the IRS - even if you don’t want to - by requesting a change of address form from (800) 829-3676 or downloading it from www.irs.gov.
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
To start, get more boxes than you think you’ll need before you start packing. This will avoid you running out in mid pack, and you’ll avoid packing too much into one box. You can normally get boxes for free by checking with your local grocery stores or even fast food restaurants. Call and find out when their delivery day is, and chances are, you’ll have more boxes than you will need.
Before you bring the boxes home, you may want to check inside. You don’t want to bring bugs in with you.
Make sure that the bottom flaps on each box are closed and taped shut with packing tape. Pack boxes according to where they will go in your new home. This will save you lots of time when you arrive. The movers will know exactly which rooms to place the boxes in and you won’t have to go from room to room searching for items.
Always put heaviest items on bottom, and graduate to the lightest items on top.
You can use newspapers for cushioning for breakables, or use your kitchen towels for your dishes, and bath towels for other breakable items. Socks also make great cushions for your collectibles.
Before you pack up your computer, make sure that the disk drives are empty and that all the drive doors are closed. Back up all your files onto disks, and store them all together in one box.
Even if you’re just moving locally and plan to begin unpacking your belongings the same day you officially depart your previous residence, it will save you considerable grief if you pack a box of essentials and label it as such. Take this box with you so that you don’t have to track it down when you arrive in your new home. Your “essentials” box will contain such must-haves as toilet paper, paper towels, tape, a local phone book (if you have one for your new neighborhood yet), instant coffee and coffee mugs, bar soap, dishwashing detergent, scissors, pens and paper, a small box of laundry detergent, flashlight, a few bath towels, paper plates, cups and plastic utensils, toothpaste, toothbrush and other toiletries, and aspirin.
Follow these simple tips and you will save time and money after you arrive at your new home.
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
If you are moving and you have house plants, you want to be sure that they survive the move. Here are some tips to make sure they arrive at your new home happy and healthy:
If you’re flying: You should probably contact the airline. They will probably have specific guidelines and regulations regarding the transportation of plant life. You also need to contact the Department of Agriculture in the state you are moving to. They may also have strict regulations to prevent the possibility of transporting pests.
If you’re driving: If your plants are traveling in the moving van, make sure that they are in containers that will not break. Plastic is a good traveler. You could also call your local garden center and ask about the black plastic nursery pots. Be sure to sterilize them.
Other tips: You will need to keep your plants watered during their trip. Water them well and then wrap the soil tops with sphagnum moss that you have soaked at least overnight. Wrap the whole pot in newspapers, and then again in burlap. You may also want to wrap the foliage loosely in burlap. It will help to avoid breaking the leaves and stems.
If you have cuttings, wrap them in the wet moss and wrap in newspapers. Place them in unsealed ziploc bags and put the bags in a cardboard box with a light packing material.
If you’re moving from a large space into a small one, and don’t have room for your plants, consider donating them to local nursing homes or schools.
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
Imagine, you get to move into a brand new home, and you get to take the move off your taxes. It doesn’t get any better than that.
There are a few points that might make your move tax deductible:
• Your new job or job transfer is at least 50 miles farther from your home than the old one was.
• If you had no previous job, the new one is at least 50 miles from your old home.
• You are in the armed forces and had a permanent change of station.
You are eligible for the deduction if you are considered to be working full time, or at least 39 weeks in the next year. You can include expenses only if they are incurred within 1 year from the day that you report to work at your new job. You can sometimes be granted a time extension, for example if you only remained in your old home long enough for your daughter to finish school.
If you are self-employed, you also need at least 39 weeks in the 12 months after the move.
Members of the military, anyone transferred by an employer, or who lost a job through no fault of their own, and people returning from abroad when they retire are allowed coverage without the required length of time at the new job.
The expenses are deducted directly from your adjusted gross income, instead of being included in the itemized deductions. You may take a standard deduction if it’s to your advantage.
If you qualify, you are allowed deductions for the expenses of
• The packing and transporting of your household goods
• Mileage for use of your own car (or gas and oil expenses)
• Tolls and parking fees on the trip
• Up to 30 days’ storage of household goods
• Disconnecting and connecting utilities.
• Transportation and lodging for yourself and members of your household while traveling to the new home.
No longer deductible: $3,000 more for up to 30 days’ temporary living expenses, house hunting trips, or costs of selling an old home and buying a new one.
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