etiquette

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Every week, I receive a couple of books in the mail from authors and publishers. (This week there were six!) They’re hoping that I’ll find time to review their work at Get Rich Slowly. I do my best, but it’s impossible to read everything.

When John Smith offered to send me his book, Confessions of a Butcher, I wasn’t expecting much. I’ve read a few niche books like this, and they’re usually uninspiring. As a full-fledged carnivore, I’m please to report this one is different. Smith spent more than 30 years in the meat industry, and he’s used his experience to produce a short book packed with information.

Confessions of a Butcher contains:

  • 60 pages describing different cuts of meat and offering suggestions for cheaper alternatives.
  • A glossary of meat-related terms.
  • An appendix containing 30 pages of short articles, such as “What to do with leftover turkey”.

The book has sections on beef (steaks, quality steaks, roasts, ribs, ground beef), pork (chops and steaks, roasts, ribs), lamb, veal, and chicken. Smith lists about 100 cuts of meat (most of which are beef). He briefly describes each cut, and then suggests cheaper (or higher-quality) alternatives.

Smith granted me permission to reprint some examples from the book. Here are his entries for stew meat, ground beef, and lamb.

Beef for stew
Money-saving alternatives: chuck roast, rump roast, cross rib roast, round steak, brisket, flatiron, chuck flat strip.

Stew meat is made from the trim that is left over from the day’s cuttings. Even when stew meat is on sale, it may not be as cheap as many other cuts. Boneless chuck roasts and round steaks on sale will be cheaper, sometimes a lot cheaper. Find the cheapest and leanest cut of meat and cut into cubes for stew or ask the butcher for his assistance.

Now having said all that, the best meat for stew, in my humble opinion, comes from the brisket, flatiron, or the chuck flat strip. These three cuts should cost you less than the stew meat in the counter but may not be the best deal you can find. They will however be the best stew meat you can find.

Regular ground beef
Money-saving alternative: boneless chuck roasts.

Regular ground beef is 27 to 30 percent fat and usually priced to sell. However, you should be able to find boneless chuck roasts on sale for about the same price. Have the butcher grind some up for you. You may not save much, if any, money, but you will get a lot better product. Just about any cut of beef in the counter, when ground, will definitely make leaner and nicer ground beef than regular hamburger.

Lamb
Money-saving alternative: see below.

The best thing you can do to save money on lamb purchases is either watch the ads or shop for lamb in a store that is part of a major supermarket chain but located in a blue-collar neighborhood. Most major supermarkets have a meat counter schematic that is the same throughout the chain. In a blue-collar meat and potatoes kind of neighborhood, lamb is not a regular part of the diet, but the local supermarket still has to carry a lamb lineup. In these types of stores, you may find legs of lamb and the like reduced to sell.

I have worked in several stores just like this and have been eating lamb (and saving lots of money) ever since. Ask the butcher if the store ever reduces lamb and when to look for it. Another alternative is to buy lamb from the farmer and have it processed at a local custom meat plant. Be ware that you will lose more than 50 percent from the processing.

I think this is great information. Kris and I have always been puzzled why our friend AJ produces better stews than we do. It’s likely that she’s just a better cook, but maybe she uses a different cut of meat. Also, I had my first ground sirloin burger last month. I’m not sure I can go back to regular ground beef after that. (Yes, I realize ground sirloin is more expensive.)

Note: Did you notice something about each of these three tips? They all involve speaking with your butcher. This is true of many of the book’s suggestions, and in a way it’s disconcerting. Kris and I discussed this, and we realized that we don’t “have a butcher”. We go to the supermarket to pick up meat. Sometimes we ask the person behind the counter for a particular steak. That’s it. We’ve never thought about asking to have meat ground. What about you? Do you have a butcher?

Although I found the book interesting, Kris was less enthused. “If you had a recipe and were looking to save money, this would be handy book,” she told me. “But it assumes too much on the part of the reader. It uses a lot of meat-related terms, many of which aren’t in the glossary. Plus, I would have liked more detail on what recipes each bargain cut would be good for.”

“Would you pay $11.95 for this book?” I asked.

“No,” she said. “But I might if it were beefier — with charts and hints and recipes.” (Note: Kris didn’t really say “beefier”. That’s just me being funny.)

I, however, would pay $11.95 for Confessions of a Butcher. We buy a lot of meat, and if the book saved us even a few bucks, it would have paid for itself. I do agree, however, that it’s a bit jargony and could benefit from some diagrams and recipes. (Rumor has it there’s a sequel in the works that will address some of these concerns. I’d rather see a revised edition that lumped everything together.)

I’ll leave you with my favorite piece of advice from John Smith. In the chapter about butcher etiquette, he writes:

To really butter up your butcher, always leave a nice comment on his helpfulness and professionalism as you go through the checkstand…Some homemade cookies once in a while won’t hurt either.

Come to think of it, bloggers like homemade cookies too!

For more on this subject, check out these articles from the archives: Making the most of cheap cuts of beef and How to buy a side of beef. Addendum: I finally found it again! Check out the All About Meat website for free online information about meat from the author of this book.

Source: getrichslowly.org

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The apartment hunt struggle is real these days, especially with ever-competitive rental markets. You have to know precisely what you’re looking for in an apartment, whether it be specifics like a walk-in closet or just the general location you want to live. You need to always think about things like the security deposit, the lease and the landlord.

It’s also a good tip when looking at the apartment you might rent to check everything from the bathroom to the bedroom. Make sure all the outlets and smoke detectors work and that the space is precisely what you want. Don’t forget to get good referrals because landlords often ask for them when you’re renting.

These are all important things to consider once you’re touring a new apartment but before you even get to the tour, there’s one thing you should also consider and that is what you should wear while apartment viewing.

Does it matter what you wear to an apartment tour?

While there are more important aspects to finding and securing a new apartment — such as your credit score, the security deposit and the application process — the truth is clothing does matter. Think of apartment viewing as a job interview and follow the same etiquette. Don’t arrive late — real estate agents and leasing managers are busy people who have many separate showings in a day, so don’t waste anyone’s time and dress for the future apartment you want.

What to wear to an apartment tour with a leasing agent

You might wonder if clothes really matter. Well, as they say, you should dress to impress. Most likely there are other people viewing the same apartment that you are with their leasing agent and you want to stick out. It also doesn’t hurt to impress the landlord of the apartment you want to rent in this competitive rental market

Remember, those first impressions are important and while it’s good to know what’s on the inside is what counts, it can’t hurt to make the outside match the inside. While clothes may vary depending on the situation, here are some tips on what to wear while apartment viewing.

1. Dress according to the weather

Since you can view an apartment in all types of weather, you should dress accordingly. It’s pretty basic knowledge — if it’s cold, wear a coat and good shoes. If it’s hot, wear something that you won’t sweat through. Consider these clothing tips for each season.

  • Winter: If you’re going on an apartment tour in the winter then you should obviously dress for the weather to stay nice and cozy. Consider wearing one of your nicer coats and boots to the tour. Wearing weather-appropriate shoes will make it so you don’t have wet feet or drip water throughout the place you’re touring with real estate agents.
  • Fall: Think about wearing something casual like a nice pair of jeans and a crisp shirt. Avoid clothing with tears, wrinkles and holes in it. Wear something that you’ll be comfortable but confident in.
  • Spring: Think about wearing a nice spring dress or skirt or khakis. Business casual attire is always a good go-to when house hunting.
  • Summer: During hot weather, it’s totally understandable to want to wear less clothing. However, when touring an apartment with your leasing agents, it’s best to avoid tight or short items. You want to wear something that you won’t sweat through but that still looks nice and presentable.

2. Wear business casual attire on an apartment tour to impress the property manager

You still might wonder exactly what you should wear when looking at apartments. Well, generally speaking, you can always rely on business casual attire. You really can’t go wrong with a nice pair of pants and a button-up shirt. You can dress up your street clothes by adding a few accessories here and there. Just be sure to take an iron to your clothes so they’re freshly pressed and this will make them look more professional.

3. Step it up a notch for your apartment viewing

You might have to choose different clothing depending on the apartment complex you’re touring. If you’re looking at a particular apartment that’s a bit more upscale, then business casual might not cut it and it might require formal attire. Check out the apartment community and see what the people are like and dress accordingly. Talk to the property managers and ask about what you can generally expect from the apartment complex.

If this is the case, then you can always go with a nicer pair of dress pants or dress or even consider a button-up and tie. When in doubt it’s always better to over-dress than to dress too casually.

4. Wear comfortable shoes

It’s easy for renters to forget the hard parts that go into apartment hunting, such as the amount of walking that goes into touring apartments and walking around the complexes. Touring apartment after apartment gets tiring easily and is hard on your feet. It’s a good idea to wear shoes that you can walk around in for the day and not get nasty blisters.

If you don’t want to walk around in heels for the day, then opt for some clean sneakers. There’s nothing worse than being uncomfortable, and you don’t want anything to distract you from the apartment you might rent.

5. Wear something that makes you feel confident and be yourself

While there are many tips that you can follow, there’s always room for exceptions. The bottom line is that you should always dress in something that makes you feel the most confident. Whether that’s jeans and a T-shirt or a suit, just be yourself. Nothing looks better on a person than confidence. Before you leave your bathroom or bedroom, take one last look at yourself and remind yourself that you’ve got this and that property is yours. If you have confidence, then you’ll have no problem finding the apartment of your dreams.

Sign the lease while looking your best

A landlord will consider things like your credit score and ability to pay rent on time over what you wear to an apartment tour, but it doesn’t hurt to dress up and look nice when touring apartments you’re considering renting. First impressions matter, whether we like it or not. So, put your best foot and fanciest shoe forward and you’re well on your way to signing a lease.

Ashley Singleton is a writer who loves following and writing about current lifestyle, DIY and home improvement trends. You can read some of her other work on the Lady Spike Media website. In her spare time, she performs stand-up comedy in Los Angeles.

Source: rent.com

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Real estate agents might have noticed since the pandemic began how face masks make it more difficult to show their personality. Wearing a mask can conceal your expressions, hide your smile, muffle speech and lead to misunderstandings between you and whoever you’re talking too.

But at the same time, they’re essential in many cases to keep your clients comfortable in these pandemic times.

“I felt muzzled,” Learka Bosnak, a sales associate with Douglas Elliman of California in Pasadena, Calif., told The Wall Street Journal about the first time she met a client while wearing a mask. “I was constantly running around saying, ‘I’m smiling under here!’ This business is all about rapport, comfort level.”

So what can we do to overcome the problems associated with wearing a mask?

Above all else, experts say that it’s still important to smile. While your mouth is covered, your smile can still be perceived by others, and even be audible in your speech, British professional etiquette and coaching firm Debrett’s writes in a blog post.

Eye contact is equally important, so be sure not to wear any sunglasses while meeting your clients.

“Eye contact will become even more important when we can’t gauge each other’s expressions,” Debrett’s advises. “Eye contact is the basis of trust, releasing chemicals like oxytocin in the brain.”

Be sure to speak more distinctly too, Debrett’s says. Your speech will be a little muffled by the mask and people can’t read your lips to aid them, so you need to raise your voice a bit and speak more clearly.

Bosnak told the Journal how she went with colleagues to meet a body language expert in order to learn some more tips on how to interact with clients while wearing a mask. She said she learned some important advice, with the most important point being to “face the person, and make sure your feet are in the right place”.

She said that if you don’t do this, it signals that you aren’t listening to your client. “Now it’s become so rote, I don’t even think about not facing a client when I’m talking to them. If they are behind me and ask a question, I will turn around and look at them,” she said.

Bosnak added that it’s important to make sure your body language is positive and open, so you need to avoid things like slouching or crossing your arms. Doing so will help you to come across as more friendly and approachable, no matter if you’re wearing a mask or not.

Mike Wheatley is the senior editor at Realty Biz News. Got a real estate related news article you wish to share, contact Mike at [email protected]
Latest posts by Mike Wheatley (see all)

Source: realtybiznews.com

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Television has a strong track record of portraying intelligent main characters. While the professions and types of shows are typically similar, the characters are all vastly different in personality. A popular online forum discusses these characters with varied thoughts. Intelligence is also a relative thing and comes in various forms. From doctors to scientists to detectives, more than a fair share of incredible brainiacs grace our screens.

1. House M.D. (Dr. Gregory House)

Photo Credit: Fox Network.

In the history of medical shows, no other doctor holds a handle to Dr. Gregory House, played brilliantly by Hugh Laurie. He is a grumpy, sarcastic addict with a horrific bedside manner. But as the doctor whose task is to diagnose seemingly impossible-to-decipher symptoms, House is a genius.

1. House M.D. (Dr. Gregory House)

Photo Credit: Fox Network.

He always had a strong team surrounding him, but ultimately, House figured out what was plaguing each patient. As one fan accurately says, “House M.D. is like a medical version of Sherlock Holmes.” The show and the character are brilliant.

2. Timeless (Lucy Preston)

Photo Credit: NBC Universal.

Timeless is a short-lived but engaging series about a group of time travelers who revisit great historical points to prevent them from changing, thus altering the world as we know it. One such person in this “time team” is Lucy Preston (Abigail Spencer). She is a history professor whose superpower is her vast knowledge of American and World history. She is strong-willed and confident but also vulnerable and brave.

2. Timeless (Lucy Preston)

Photo Credit: NBC Universal.

She knows dates and times, etiquette, events, and what should be appropriate attire. But her knowledge spans much farther to the most important thing about history- the people who shaped it. Understanding the thoughts and emotions of others makes Lucy unique.

She cares about the preservation of history but also the individuals that built the world we embody. Her book smarts and emotional intelligence make her an invaluable team member. Timeless is an endlessly entertaining show that many have yet to discover.

3. Elementary (Sherlock Holmes)

Photo Credit: CBS Broadcasting.

Fans of the classic detective stories of Sherlock Holmes, who enjoy fresh modern interpretations, will love Elementary. However, this take on the character is not your average one. Portrayed by Jonny Lee Miller, Sherlock is a brash, recovering addict who closes himself off from others.

3. Elementary (Sherlock Holmes)

Photo Credit: CBS Broadcasting.

What remains the same is his dazzling intellect and deduction skills. What’s refreshing about this Sherlock is that as bold as his confidence is that no one is smarter than he is, he knows when to ask for assistance. His character grows in his emotional intelligence through his relationship with his partner Watson, in this series played beautifully by Lucy Liu.

4. White Collar (Neal Caffrey)

Photo Credit: USA Network.

White Collar is a light but poignant heist/thriller series similar in tone and premise to the film Catch Me if You Can. However, this series portrays an incredibly smart man in many ways. Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer) is a charming thief who is released from prison when he agrees to assist the FBI on cases of fraud, and forgery, amongst other things. Neal’s intelligence is vast but hidden behind a veneer of charisma.

4. White Collar (Neal Caffrey)

Photo Credit: USA Network.

His skills in forgery are impeccable. Most impressive is his ability to copy masterpiece paintings. Not only does this take artistic talent but also knowledge of the painting and the artist’s methods. His skills appear effortless, which makes it all the more captivating to watch.

5. The Big Bang Theory (Sheldon, Leonard, Raj, Howard, Amy, and Bernadette)

Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Television.

For twelve seasons, audiences fell in love with the misadventures of a group of nerdy scientists on The Big Bang Theory. Besides being incredibly funny, what I love is that the characters grow. Additionally, while socially awkward, they have supreme intelligence in their fields.

5. The Big Bang Theory (Sheldon, Leonard, Raj, Howard, Amy, and Bernadette)

Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Television.

These include theoretical physics, astrophysics, engineering, neuroscience, and microbiology. Through these genius men and women, The Big Bang Theory brings these complex sciences into our homes with heart and laughter. And it can make us all feel just a bit smarter.

6. Monk (Adrian Monk)

Photo Credit: Mandeville Films.

This drama follows former detective Adrian Monk who consults for the San Francisco Police Department. Though he struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder, his ability to observe and solve homicides is uncanny. His intuitiveness and intelligence are unparalleled.

6. Monk (Adrian Monk)

Photo Credit : Mandeville Films.

You will enjoy every time he utters “he’s the guy” because he sees what others overlook. The show runs for eight seasons, with the finale resolving the series-long mystery about the murder of Monk’s wife, Trudy. These last episodes bring the series to a satisfying and poignant conclusion.

7. Bones (Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan)

Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox Television.

Bones follows a forensic anthropologist and an FBI agent who team up, along with a group of other skilled professionals, to solve crimes. Dr. Brennan lacks social skills but is a brilliant woman who often detects and sees things others do not.

7. Bones (Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan)

Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox Television.

Her ability to look past the morbid side of her profession gives her a mature intelligence we don’t often see in a female character. Bones is a long-running series with a whopping twelve seasons and 245 episodes, but worth the investment.

8. The X-Files (Agent Dana Scully)

Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox Television.

The X-Files and the character of Dana Scully are landmarks in television history. The show about FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, who investigate the paranormal, is an influential masterpiece. But the character of Scully is even more so. She is a doctor and scientist.

8. The X-Files (Agent Dana Scully)

Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox Television.

She is a skeptic but open-minded, remains calm under pressure, is endlessly courageous, loving, and above all else, genuinely brilliant. Female characters in her profession had rarely been seen in this light, so much so that she influenced an entire generation of young women to pursue careers in the STEM fields. This influence is known today as “The Scully Effect.”

9. The Mentalist (Patrick Jane)

Photo Credit: CBS Broadcasting.

The Mentalist is a captivating and poignant drama that follows Patrick Jane, a man with keen observational talents that allow him to consult on cases with the CBI and FBI. But throughout the series, the one looming case is the pursuit of the serial killer “Red John,” who murdered Jane’s wife and daughter.

9. The Mentalist (Patrick Jane)

Photo Credit: CBS Broadcasting.

Jane’s intelligence is much like Monk‘s in that he sees the small details and can solve puzzling cases. But as bright as he is, he is not infallible, which makes The Mentalist all the more compelling to watch.

10. Frasier (Dr. Frasier Crane)

Photo Credit: Paramount Television.

Psychiatrists represent a unique kind of knowledge. Understanding the human brain to treat mental health is an invaluable profession. Although his brother Dr. Niles Crane is a practicing psychiatrist, Frasier and his brother are equally intelligent.

10. Frasier (Dr. Frasier Crane)

Photo Credit: Paramount Television.

However, they may disagree on that fact. Their competitive nature, Frasier’s radio show where he quickly gives advice and counsel, and their penchant for high-brow arts make the series one the funniest and most brilliantly written on television.

Source: Reddit.

Image Credit: Shutterstock – Denis Makarenko

Who is one actress you can never stand watching, no matter their role?  After polling the internet, these were the top-voted actresses that people couldn’t stand watching.

10 Actresses People Despise Watching Regardless of Their Role

These 7 Celebrities are Genuinely Good People

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

We’ve all heard the famous adage that “no publicity is bad publicity,” and while it tends to be accurate, there are certainly exceptions. But what about those few stars who stay out of the limelight and get along without a hint of trouble? 

These 7 Celebrities are Genuinely Good People

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Have you ever known someone and thought you liked them—until you learned about their hobbies? Then you get to know them and then you’re like, “Wow, red flag.” Well, you’re not alone.

These 10 Activities Are an Immediate Red Flag

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Some celebrities definitely seem to enjoy the limelight and keep working to stay in the public eye. While others quickly move out of the spotlight. Many of these actors and actresses stepped out of the spotlight to live a more private life without constant media pressures.

10 Celebrities That Made the Big Times Then Disappeared Off The Face of the Earth

Image Credit: Troma Entertainment

We’ve all been there – sitting through a movie that we can’t help but cringe at, but somehow it still manages to hold a special place in our hearts.

These 10 Terrible Movies Are Still People’s Favorites



About the Author



Marianne Paluso



Source: financequickfix.com

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Your Guide to the Sharing Economy – MintLife Blog

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peer-to-peer lending). 

Looking for a quick definition? Keep the one below in mind.

Sharing economy definition

The sharing economy is a peer-to-peer lending system, often facilitated by online platforms, that allows individuals or small companies to share goods and services with one another.

To better understand the sharing economy, it’s helpful to see how it fits into the bigger picture of novel industries that are disrupting traditional ones. 

Sharing economy vs on-demand economy

The on-demand economy is a name for the new suite of services most people have available with their phone. “On-demand” refers to the fact that, with just a few taps, swipes, and a credit card, there are many goods and services immediately available to consumers. 

For instance, let’s say you need groceries delivered — there’s an app for that. A fleet of gig-working delivery drivers (more on that next) is ready on demand to bring you the bread, almond milk, and kale that you need ASAP. 

How does this differ from the sharing economy? When investors, economists, and consumers talk about the sharing economy, they are referring more specifically to services that facilitate sharing goods. It might not even be on-demand; for instance, if you’re part of a group of people who share power tools, you might not have access to the bandsaw you need until the person who has it now is done in 3 days. 

The sharing economy and the on-demand economy have a lot in common, though, as they both allow peers to collaborate through the use of a third-party app. That brings us to another buzzword you might be hearing a lot about these days. 

Sharing economy vs gig economy

The gig economy focuses more on the workers’ side, rather than the consumer. For instance, both sharing economy services (like Airbnb) and on-demand economy services (like TaskRabbit), and even services that fall into both categories (like Uber), can be considered forms of gig economy work. 

The gig economy consists of workers who operate on short-term contracts, performing jobs through an app-based service. When investors and economists talk about the gig economy, they’re usually talking about the transition in many sectors toward this sort of short-contract-based work. 

The quintessential example is a service like Uber or Lyft. Rather than a full-time, wage-based job like taxi driver, many people are instead working part-time, contract-based, often precarious positions as ride-share drivers. That’s the gig economy in action. 

Examples of the sharing economy

We’ve already discussed a few types of sharing economy services, but what are a few more familiar examples? The answer is that there’s no set definition or criteria for what makes a service a part of the sharing economy. That said, there are a few examples that you’re probably familiar with:

  • Ride-share: Services like Uber and Lyft are great examples of the sharing economy — a driver shares their car (and time) with a consumer, who gets a lower-cost ride out of the arrangement. 
  • Car-share: Some services also allow you to share your car with peers, not by driving them, but by allowing them to rent it. 
  • Tool-share: Power tools are expensive. Luckily, the sharing economy makes it easy to see who has a tool you can borrow, and pay a small amount to rent it for a day or two while you complete a project. 
  • Clothing sharing: There are sharing sites for expensive designer clothes that you probably won’t wear more than once. Pay for a subscription, then rent for a few days. 
  • Crowd-funding: Have a new business idea or product concept? You can use services online that allow you to crowd-fund the startup costs. 
  • Peer-to-peer lending: Rather than going through a large financial institution or sketchy loan shop when you need cash, peer-to-peer lending allows consumers to seek financing from other individuals who have a little surplus cash they’d like to grow. 

As mentioned before, there’s no hard-and-fast definition or criteria — pretty much any service that allows people to help each other out can be considered a part of the sharing economy. 

Sharing economy apps

We’ve mentioned that the sharing economy is mostly facilitated by app-based services — but what are these apps? Chances are, you’ve probably already got a lot of them on your phone. Here are a few common sharing economy companies, and what they’re built for:

  • Ride-sharing and taxi alternatives: Uber, Lyft

This is definitely not a complete list. Chances are, if you need some item or service, but don’t want to purchase it yourself, there’s a sharing economy solution out there for you. A simple Google search of “[What you need]” + “sharing app” will likely bring you tons of interesting options to consider. 

Pros and cons of sharing economy

Like anything, the sharing economy comes with plenty of pros and cons to consider. Before going all-in on using sharing apps, let’s take a look at some of the benefits and downsides that come along with the sharing economy.

Pros

  • Sharing services can help you save money
  • Sharing apps give you access to things you might not otherwise have (like power tools or a small loan)
  • They’re often on-demand, too (though not alway), so you can get what you need quickly
  • They allow owners of assets to make a small, steady stream of passive income
  • They’re popular. According to PWC, about 19% of people have participated in the sharing economy, and that number is expected to grow. 

Cons

  • They might be riskier than a traditional business because you’re renting items (like a car) from an individual rather than a company
  • While they might allow for a new income stream, some sharing economy jobs (like rideshare drivers) might not allow you to make a full living
  • Some app companies might inflate prices or take a large commission in order to increase their own profits — be sure to do your research on an app before using it as either a buyer or seller

Overall, for most people, deciding whether using the sharing economy makes sense will be an individual process. For some people, making money with side hustle apps might be a great way to spend some time and earn a little cash. For others, it might not make as much sense. 

If you have a vacation home you don’t use often, it could totally make sense to rent it out to travelers who need a place to stay. Others might not want the hassle associated with cleaning the home and preparing it for the next guests — ultimately, it’s up to you whether participating in the sharing economy makes sense. 

Sharing economy: the takeaways 

The sharing economy is a great way for peers to connect and share goods and services they have access to with people who are looking for access at a bargain price. It can include anything from sharing cars and power tools to peer-to-peer lending and crowdfunding. 

Here’s what to remember:

  • The sharing economy uses apps to allow individuals to connect with each other, sharing their goods and services.
  • It’s closely related to the on-demand economy and gig economy; in fact, there’s tons of overlap when it comes to the apps used in each. 
  • You can use the sharing economy to access things like car rentals, fashionable clothes, power tools, personal loans, and seed money for your ingenious ideas. 
  • Apps like Uber, Vrbo, DailyLook, and Prosper are all popular sharing economy options. 
  • There are pros and cons
    • Pros: Usually inexpensive, a great way to find extra income, and convenient
    • Cons: You have to trust peer lenders and borrowers, and some companies pay workers less than other options, or charge fees that make lending not worthwhile

What options can the sharing economy open up for you? Research the ways that you can start using sharing apps today, and start saving (or making!) money. 

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The Millennial’s Guide to Buying a Home: Budgeting and Insurance

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Side Hustle 101: What You Need to Know About Renting Your Car

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Apache is functioning normally

By Steve Harper and Cathy Poley, Apartment Guide contributor

Does the thought of parking in your apartment community make you wish for a chauffeured car service?

Have you ever decided not to leave your apartment because you dreaded having to find a space when you got back?

Though easy parking is an amenity some apartment dwellers take for granted, other residents face a challenge parking at or even near home. So, until you can get that anti-matter transfer device you’ve been assembling in the back room up and running, you’re stuck with the everyday nuisance of finding a spot, every day — and sometimes more than once.

[find-an-apartment]

Parking well is an art and a science… well, no, it’s mostly luck, but a bit of planning and forward thinking just might steady your odds. With these tips, we’ll try to stack the proverbial parking deck in your favor!

Dedicated lot parking: attempted organization, or free-for-all?
If your apartment community offers lot or deck parking that is management-owned, consider yourself lucky — especially if an assigned space comes with your apartment unit. In most cases, however, parking is generally first-come, first-parked. Even if your apartment community has a dedicated lot, you may find that there are more cars to park there than available spaces.

The tighter the parking challenge, the more crucial it is to follow apartment parking etiquette. If your apartment community has assigned parking spaces, stick to your assigned space! Even if another space or a visitor space might be closer to your apartment, you really must play by the rules. Think “getting along,” rather than survival of the quickest.

Now, if someone makes a habit of consistently parking in your assigned space, it is likely within your right to tell someone about it on the management team. (Be friendly!)

Those without assigned parking may well find themselves playing parking roulette. If parking is a daily challenge, try avoiding moving your car during peak hours. See if you can shift your work hours to get you back home to your apartment a little earlier, for instance, allowing you to grab a prime parking space. If you notice the parking lot fills up at a certain time, run your errands at off-hours so you can more easily grab a spot when you get back.

Is this dirty-pool parking? You decide. The more challenging the situation, the more critical the creativity.

Though it might be tempting to risk parking in a tow-away zone, avoid giving in. Eventually, you’ll return to find your car towed — and a hefty fine attached to its escape.

Parking on the street… every car for itself!
Many of the same strategies listed here apply to finding a safe street space for your vehicle. In addition to these tips, it’s important to know your city’s or neighborhood’s parking rules and regulations. Parking in a certain area might be o.k. overnight, for example, but you might have to move your car during daytime hours. Pay close attention to posted signs as they will often tell you exactly what you need to know.

Garage parking… you pay to park…
Another option if your apartment community does not have a parking lot is to rent space in a parking garage. Costs for garages vary, so shop around to ensure you are getting a reasonable price for the area in which you’re parking. Make sure the garage is situated in a safe area from which you’ll feel comfortable walking to your apartment.

Other solutions to parking challenges
 Here are some other approaches to make parking a second thought, rather than a primary stressor:

  • Carpool with other residents in your apartment community. (It’s fun and friendly.)
  • Ditch your car in favor of mass transit, riding a bicycle, or walking. (You’ll experience more of your city on foot.)
  • Select an apartment community which offers valet parking service. Then, you will never have to worry about finding a space yourself. (You lucky person!)

Photo credit: Shutterstock / jokerpro

Apache is functioning normally

Earlier this week, I wrote about the problem with trying to buy the perfect gift. Sticking with that gift theme, there’s a question that’s been on my mind: If you’re invited to an engagement party, a bridal shower, and a wedding ceremony all for the same couple, and you attend all three, do you give a gift at each event?

See, I’ve been invited to a few weddings this year. And it seems like the etiquette “experts” all agree that each event requires a separate gift, according to tradition. Here are some examples from around the web:

“If I bring a gift to the bridal shower, should I still bring a gift to the wedding?” a question Peggy Post, co-author of the 18th edition of Emily Post’s Etiquette is accustomed to answering. Her advice is, basically, that a shower gift is not a wedding gift. “I know some of these shower gifts are expensive, but be smart so you don’t have to break the bank.”

“I’m going to both the wedding shower and the wedding. Must I buy gifts for both?” “Unfortunately, yes. ‘That’s part of the obligation you agreed to when you RSVPed for both,’ says [Mark] Kingsdorf,” bridal consultant at The Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants — Real Simple’s The Essential Guide to Buying Wedding Gifts.

“According to custom, the answer to whether to give gifts for engagements, showers and weddings is: maybe, yes and yes.” — How Stuff Works.

Hmm, exactly how is one supposed to “be smart” about expensive gifts? And calling gifts an obligation? It kinda puts a bad taste in my mouth, like it’s sucking the joy out of giving a gift in the first place.

Guests Say, “Forget the Experts!”

A lot of wedding guests disagree with the expert advice. For a few examples, I did a very scientific poll (of Yahoo! Answers responses). Here are a few that say that multiple gifts are not an obligation:

“Do not feel obligated [to give a wedding gift after giving a shower gift]. You did give them a gift already, so if you do want to gift them something, you can, but you don’t absolutely have to.”

“There’s no definitive ‘proper’ way to do this, other than the etiquette stipulation that the shower is a gift-giving event, and the wedding is not. (Obviously, most people do want to give wedding gifts, but that’s tradition, not a requirement).”

“Etiquette says NOTHING about purchasing multiple gifts for one wedding. You gave a gift, that’s all that you need to concern yourself with. No more gift giving is necessary.”

I always thought that you give a separate gift for the shower and the wedding. As for engagement parties and bachelorette parties, I have no idea. None of my friends and family members have had either of those.

But when I got married, all of our friends and family members gave one gift, even if they attended the shower and the wedding. (This was definitely fine by me — I’m rather shy and I actually would’ve been embarrassed if people bought me multiple gifts. My aunt basically had to force me to register for gifts in the first place.)

And then, to confuse things even more, Miss Manners has a take that’s somewhere in between one-gift-only and gifts galore:

“Engagement presents were a rarity until a decade or two ago. Perhaps a favorite aunt might be so moved, or a prospective mother-in-law might give the bride a family bauble to wear at the wedding. But no one showed up with a present at an engagement party, because the purpose of the party was for the parents to announce the engagement as a surprise. Multiple showers are warranted only when the bride or the couple has more than one distinct set of intimate friends. They should not be catch-all occasions, and nobody should be expected to attend more than one. Anyway, shower presents should be charming but trivial, and not comparable to wedding presents.”

No one agrees! And basically, I just want to do what everyone else is doing. I’m not looking to take some kind of gift-giving stance at my husband’s coworker’s wedding. I also don’t want to be the lone weirdo giving multiple gifts.

So I’m simply wondering, what does everyone else do? If you’re invited to multiple events and you want to attend and celebrate with the bride and/or couple, when do you bring a gift?

Source: getrichslowly.org

Apache is functioning normally

Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further

Who needs hotels anymore? One of the internet’s greatest travel perks is that it’s  much easier for those looking for a place to stay to connect with someone who has a room to spare.

Rental sites like Airbnb.com let anyone put their spare couch, bed or house up for rent. The upsides for hosts: Greet people from all over the world, and pocket some cash for their efforts. The benefits for guests: Stay at unique places for a fraction of the price of a hotel room.

But staying at someone’s home isn’t quite the same as a hotel. There’s etiquette for both host and guest to follow so that both parties get the most out of the experience.

For Hosts:

Charge less first, then raise your rates, but be realistic. Figuring out how to price your place can be tricky. Charge too much and you won’t get any bookings; charge too little and you won’t be making as much as you could. Keep in mind that Airbnb earns its cut by doing a 6 to 12 percent markup on the listing price, so if you list a room for $100, Airbnb lists it for $106 to $112 and takes that extra money. But because it can be tough to get bookings on a site like Airbnb without a solid base of reviews, you may want to undercharge at first.

Jane Hodges, a business journalist whose new book about renting versus buying a house will be published this spring, listed the basement of her West Seattle home in April. Initially, she charged $55 per night and immediately got a ton of interest. Now her rate is $61, with a two-night minimum. She probably could charge more but the basement is not completely finished, particularly in the walk between the bedroom and bathroom, and she’s upfront with guests about that.

Chris Williams, a retired teacher in the former gold mining town of Nevada City, California,  decided to list the granny flat and a few spare rooms in her home on AirBnB to create extra income. She, too, started low on the pricing, but as her guests left rave reviews on the website, her rooms started showing up higher on the search listing, and she eventually had a full calendar of bookings. Still she keeps her rates lower than she could — $35 to $45 per room, with a two-night minimum – because the kitchen, living room and outdoor patio are all common areas, and she doesn’t serve meals. “I realize that the rooms aren’t as private as hotel rooms, so I don’t feel I can charge as much.”

Use the professional photographer. Airbnb offers to send one to new listings so that quality photos of your room appear on the site. Both Hodges and Williams had photographers who routinely shoot for realtors’ property listings come to their homes. Take advantage of that. Because the photographers know what they’re doing, they generally will do a better job emphasizing the assets of your home better than you can. Also, Airbnb-commissioned shots feature a “Airbnb.com Verified Photo” watermark on the site, which makes potential guests believe that your killer apartment actually exists.

Consider a two-night minimum. Of course, if you’re starting out as a new listing, it’s wise to go short to build up your list of reviews. Once you earn those, it’s better financially to go for longer-term guests. “I’ve turned down requests for people who need a place to stay for a night, will arrive at 11 p.m. and leave for the airport at 6 a.m. Ditto for people who want the place on the same day. It takes time for me to get the place ready — wash up, dust, vaccum, shop for breakfast” says Williams. It’s not worthwhile to do that day-in, day-out, especially if you’ve got a life, and daily maintenance will eat into those rental fees.

Ask guests to contact you first. At the top of your listing, ask that people send you a note inquiring about availability before trying to book.  This serves as a test for whether they actually read your listing before attempting to book, or were simply dashing off requests to everybody in a five-mile radius. It also allows you to communicate with potential tenants, so you can decide whether or not you feel comfortable taking them as guests. But respond to every message, even if it’s only to say that your place isn’t available. Airbnb tracks and publishes what percentage of messages you reply to as your “Response Rate,” so having a high number makes you look like a more receptive host, and it puts you higher up in the search rankings.

Fill out a detailed profile. That means a real photo of you (smiling, of course), and a bit of information about who you are. A filled-out profile reminds potential guests that you’re a real person. Also, make sure you list your neighborhood. Airbnb listings allow you to tag your place by neighborhood. It allow users who are searching for particular neighborhoods (say, the neighborhood of Williamsburg in the vast borough of Brooklyn) to find you.

Screen potential guests. If somebody who contacted you via Airbnb has no reviews or an incomplete account, ask them to send a bit of info about themselves. You want to know as much about a potential tenant as possible because you are letting them into your home, after all.

Also, you want to make sure it’s a good host/guest fit. Some hosts like to hang out with their guests and show them around town, other prefer that guests be as self-sufficient as possible. Williams is the former. She asks guests what brings them to town, so she knows what advice to give them to make their trip more fun. “I’ve found that just about everybody is happy to share that info. If they refuse or ignore the request, I consider that a warning sign, and I move onto the next person.”

Offer the basics. Good linens and towels (including washcloths) are a must. Hodges recommends good bedside lighting and a table or stand to put a book and a glass of water down on at bedtime. She also includes a coffeemaker and a cold breakfast of granola bars and fruit (cheap and easy to purchase). Williams puts hairdryers in every room, and takes mini bottles of shampoo and conditioners from her hotel trips to put in her guest bathrooms. “I can’t tell you how many guests told me that I just saved them luggage space. Anything you can do to lighten their luggage load is a plus, and makes them feel like they are staying in more of a hotel-like environment.”

For Renters:

Do not try to book without communicating first. Airbnb is not Expedia or Travelocity. Just because a date appears to be available on the calendar does not mean you can stay there that night. Message the host, introduce yourself , tell them what brings you to town, then ask politely if your requested dates are available.

Read the entire listing before messaging. Don’t waste the host’s time by asking questions with readily available answers like “are you near the airport?” or “do you have a kitchen?” You look like a undesirable guest and you’re far more likely to have your request rejected. “I don’t want to be their mom,” says Hodges. “If they book decently in advance and do research on the area, I am happy to fill out the cracks.”

It’s not a hotel. That means you should have some basic courtesy when it comes to cleaning up after yourself and making noise. Remember that your hosts have lives, too. One of Hodges’ biggest annoyances is guests who don’t say what time they’ll arrive. “Some people are not specific when they’re coming, so I’m stuck in the house waiting for them. Now when they book, I ask them to give me a two-hour window so I know what time to be here when they arrive.”

Williams’ pet peeve is guests who bring “extra guests” home at night. “You’re a few steps up from being a stranger in my home. I don’t want total strangers as well.”

Fill out your profile. The same rules apply to guests as hosts. “If your profile makes you look friendly and decent, I’ll usually allow you to book,” says Williams. That means a real (non-threatening) photo of you, and some information about who you are and where you’re coming from. More than anything else you do, this will raise the percentage of your reservation requests being accepted.

Vanessa Richardson is a freelance writer in San Francisco who writes about small business and personal finance.

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Apache is functioning normally

Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further

Last year this time– right around Halloween – my wallet was stolen from my son’s stroller. (Okay I shouldn’t have placed it in the stroller in the first place, but I never imagined anyone would steal it. It was only slightly visible, tucked inside a pouch.)

You can guess the rest.

In a store elevator, while a woman to my right started talking me up and gushing over my then 1 year old son’s shoes (they were really cute), her quiet accomplice (to my left) crept her fingers into my stroller pouch and nabbed the wallet.

An hour later, when I realized the wallet had disappeared, I rushed home to check my bank and credit card accounts. As expected, the thieves had spared no time. They’d racked up over $500 in charges at the very department store where they’d stolen my wallet. They also purchased a number of monthly subway passes on their way out of the crime scene.

Some serious professionals had defrauded me right in my own neighborhood!

Lesson learned: Keep your wallet out of sight and reach.

But, sadly, wallet theft is not the only way or even the most common way fraudsters can get a hold of our financial accounts. Much of it happens online via hacks or breaches.  Fraud devices or “skimmers” at ATM machines and card readers can also be sources of fraud.

This Halloween here’s some advice on how to prevent your financial info from getting in the wrong hands and what to do in case you become a victim of fraud.

Double Down on Password Protection

A wise rule of thumb is to use various passwords for various accounts. Don’t just use one universal password for every website since it makes it all too easy for a fraudster to access your bank accounts, payment sites, etc. if he or she gets ahold of your secret alpha-numeric-symbolic code.

But few of us actually follow that rule of thumb. Nearly three out of four consumers use a duplicate password, many of which haven’t been changed in the last five years, according to a recent survey.

If you’re worried about remembering all your passwords, consider using password management tools that provide a secure and virtual “vault” for all your passwords. LastPass and TrueKey offer free basic memberships.

As for how often should you change your passwords? Do better than every five years, but don’t worry about changing them every month. A study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found it’s better to change passwords infrequently.

While some sites and offices require you to change your password every few months, this can actually backfire, the study found, because when we are forced to change our passwords so many times we don’t get very creative. We may add a “1” or make a slight variation from the last password. And this makes our passwords all the more predictable to hackers.

In fact, for 17% of the accounts in the study, knowing a user’s previous password let researchers to correctly guess their next password in fewer than 5 guesses.

It’s fine to change your password once or twice a year, as long as it is made of a random variation of text including different cases of letters, numbers and symbols. And stay away from the obvious like your birthdate or a sequence of letters and numbers (e.g. ABC123)

Stick With Credit

You may notice when you go to checkout with a card, you’re now asked to dip instead of swipe. The U.S. recently moved to EMV chip card technology, in an effort to combat counterfeit card fraud. In time paying with a credit card should get safer.

Meantime, if you’re ever wondering whether it’s safer to use a debit or credit card, stick with credit. In the event of fraud, it will be easier to dispute the claims.

According to the Fair Credit Billing Act your maximum liability for fraudulent credit card transactions is $50. But if you report your card lost or stolen prior to fraudulent transactions your liability could even be $0.

With debit card fraud, on the other hand, you’re sometimes at a loss until the claim is resolved. What’s more, if you don’t report your card lost or stolen within sixty days your liability limit is up to $500.

Scan Your Statements

Keep a watchful eye on your accounts. Even if you’re a fan of auto-pay, it’s worth reviewing your bills regularly for unfamiliar charges. Card issuers and banks are getting better at alerting us of suspicious charges, but it’s always helpful to play an active role ourselves, too.

If you suspect your account’s been compromised contact your bank or card company immediately and have them investigate. In the meantime, they may shut off the account and send you a new card with a new account number just to be on the safe side.

Another place to look for red flags is your credit report. You can receive a free credit report from each of the three major credit-reporting agencies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – once a year at annualcreditreport.com. If you don’t recognize some of the items on your credit report such as random credit inquiries or unfamiliar card accounts immediately reach out to the credit reporting agency or agencies that’s listing the false information and explain the situation. Here’s a list of their phone numbers:

  • Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN or 1-888-397-3742
  • Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
  • TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289

You may want to place an extended fraud alert or credit freeze on your account. You can find more information on how to do this on the Federal Trade Commission’s website.

Avoid Random ATM Machines

Fraudsters and ID thieves may secretly install special equipment in credit card readers either at the ATM, gas pump machine or any other card swiping device to capture or “skim” our personal information on our credit or debt card each time we swipe.  The reader makes two copies of your credit or debit card information: one to process the transaction and one to later download the information to the ID thieves.

To play it safe, use trusted ATM locations. Your bank branch’s ATM is usually a safe bet, since a security officer or camera often guards it. It’s a lot more difficult for ID thieves to compromise an indoor bank ATM than say, a random ATM on the street corner outside a convenient store.

Trim Down Your Wallet

While it’s not realistic to say, “Don’t carry your credit cards or cash in your wallet,” there are some other sensitive items a few of us DO carry in our wallets that aren’t necessary. The Identity Theft Resource Center recommends five things you should never carry in your wallet including your social security card or even a copy of your social security number, your birth certificate, bank account or routing numbers and password cheat sheets.

It’s best to keep these items tucked away in a safe and hidden place…and by no means in your child’s stroller!

Have a question for Farnoosh? You can submit your questions via Twitter @Farnoosh, Facebook or email at [email protected].

Farnoosh Torabi is America’s leading personal finance authority hooked on helping Americans live their richest, happiest lives. From her early days reporting for Money Magazine to now hosting a primetime series on CNBC and writing monthly for O, The Oprah Magazine, she’s become our favorite go-to money expert and friend.

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Apache is functioning normally

A good parking space is a blessing, but you might feel your neighbor’s wrath if you don’t practice proper apartment parking etiquette. Whether you have a garage, a lot or even your own private space, it’s important to always honor the right of way and follow these ten commandments of parking etiquette.

The Commandments

    • Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s parking space. If you have designated parking, it’s a no-brainer to park only in your own space and to remind guests to use specified guest parking.
    • Honor thy apartment community’s posted speed limit. Slow down and try not to terrify your neighbors. You have to see them every day.
    • Thou shalt not lie about the ding you put in that guy’s bumper. If you accidentally hit your apartment neighbor’s car, leave a note. You’ll sleep better at night.
    • Uphold your neighbor’s right to carry groceries. Don’t forget that you’re parking in a place where people unload groceries, small children and pets. Keep your car in the lines and give them plenty of room to open their car doors.
    • Do to other drivers as they do unto you. The bottom line is to be nice. If someone waves to you, wave back.
    • But, thou shalt not respond discourteously to unfriendly drivers. Remember, they know where you live.
    • Respect the blind spot. Don’t come screaming around the corners in your parking garage or parking lot. One day there will be a blind spot (and an insurance claim) with your name on it.
    • Never take your neighbor’s name in vain. Parking garages can echo and sometimes walls can be thin — your neighbors can hear everything.
    • Be slow to anger. So your neighbors had a party and their friends parked in your space. If it’s the first time this has happened, let it go. If it’s the 13th time, feel free to call the apartment manager or leave a friendly note.
    • Thou shalt always use the parking brake when parked on an incline. Because that’s how safe apartment parkers (don’t) roll. (We really mean it.)