prep

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One of the trickiest aspects of homeownership is unloading an existing property while acquiring a replacement.

Aside from being stressful, it can also be difficult it not impossible thanks to financing constraints and unwanted contingencies, which a home seller likely won’t accept in a hot market.

Unfortunately for those in this predicament, real estate is red hot at the moment, thanks to a lack of inventory and record low mortgage rates.

This means contingent offers, where you must sell before you commit to buy, aren’t likely to be accepted. And worse yet, even an offer that requires a mortgage could be denied in favor of an all-cash offer.

Enter “Knock Home Swap,” which as the name implies, looks to solve this common conundrum by giving the concurrent home buyer/seller some helpful tools to compete.

How Knock Home Swap Works

how knock works

  • First you get pre-approved for a mortgage with Knock Lending LLC
  • This allows you to make offers on a replacement home with down payment assistance included
  • Once you find the right home you can move in and make just the new mortgage payment
  • In the meantime, your old home will be prepped, listed, and sold while they cover monthly mortgage payments

We’ve heard of home swapping before, with it being a common feature with popular iBuyers.

For example, Opendoor, HomeLight, Reali, and Offerpad all offer trade-in programs where you can sell them your home and buy one from them at the same time.

But unlike an iBuyer, Knock doesn’t purchase your old home from you—instead, it’s sold on the open market via a licensed real estate agent. Ideally for a much higher price.

To close the buy/sell gap, they integrate a “competitive mortgage,” along with an interest-free bridge loan (similar to the one Compass offers) that covers the down payment on the new home, along with mortgage payments on the old home.

You can also claim up to $25,000 for “home prep and repairs” on the old property so it sells quickly and for top dollar, similar to the service provided by Curbio.

So it’s almost like Knock combined several different fintech offerings into one to make the home selling, buying, renovating, and mortgage financing process one smooth transaction.

In exchange for all these services, Knock charges a 1.25% convenience fee when you close on your new home, which can be rolled into the mortgage if you wish.

Once your old home sells, you pay back Knock for any monies advanced, such as down payment assistance, mortgage payments, and home preparation costs.

Speaking of, they’ll advance up to six mortgage payments on your old home, $25,000 in home renovation costs, and up to 5% down payment on the new purchase.

Which Homes Qualify for Knock Home Swap?

  • Property must be located in their service area (new markets launching soon)
  • Must be single-family residence, condo, or townhome that is eligible for traditional home loan financing
  • Title must be clear and held by seller
  • Must be owner-occupied or vacant (no tenants)
  • Knock must value home at $150k or higher (or combined value of old/new homes must be at least $350,000-$400,000)

At the moment, Knock Home Swap is live in a limited number of cities, mostly located in Florida and nearby states.

Those cities include Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Jacksonville, Orlando, Miami, Phoenix, Raleigh-Durham, San Antonio, Tampa, and West Palm Beach.

Several more markets are expected to launch this year and in 2021, so stay tuned.

It should be noted that both homes must be in those markets in order to qualify. Additionally, the property cannot be in an age-restricted community, nor can it be a distressed sale or bank-owned.

They also won’t go for homes with a solar lease, unpermitted additions, or significant foundation or water damage.

It is available exclusively through local broker and real estate agent partners who have been trained as Knock Certified Agents.

Why Use Knock Home Swap?

why use knock

  • You can buy a new home before selling your old home
  • You can get down payment assistance (up to 5%) for new home purchase
  • They provide the home loan and bridge financing that pays old mortgage before you sell
  • Can get up to $25,000 in home renovation costs fronted to sell your home for top dollar
  • Fee is only 1.25% plus standard real estate commissions and closing costs

There are several reasons why an existing homeowner might consider using a service like Knock Home Swap.

For one, it can be difficult to buy and sell a home at the same time because contingencies are often frowned upon.

So again, if the market is hot, or a particular property you have your eye on is popular with other buyers, the seller likely won’t accept a contingent offer.

Additionally, there can be complications when trying to juggle two mortgages at once, especially if affordability is already stretched.

There’s also the sheer timing of things when selling one property and acquiring another – will you need a leaseback before you move into the new home?

With Knock Home Swap, you can get the ball rolling on your new home and concurrently renovate and prep your old home to list, without worrying about where you’re going to live.

And you aren’t selling your home at a basement price to an iBuyer – it’s sold on the open market after suggested repairs are made, meaning it should go for a decent price.

Additionally, there’s more certainty overall if one company has approved your mortgage and is covering the old one while your former property sells.

In terms of gotchas, they do charge a fee of 1.25% for the service, which while not free, seems reasonable. I believe it’s based on the new home sales price.

Of course, they are also originating your mortgage and presumably taking full real estate agent commission on both the new home and the old home.

This could mean a standard fee of 2.5% to 3%, which might be more expensive than what other discount real estate brokerages charge.

Still, you seem to get a lot of good value out of it, and if the repairs they suggest result in a higher sales price for your home, it could cover the fees and then some.

Knock Lock and Shop

In early October 2022, the company unveiled a new solution known as “Lock and Shop,” which is basically a mortgage pre-lock option.

It allows prospective home buyers to lock an interest rate while shopping for a property to buy.

If rates go up during that time, they will enjoy their lower, locked interest rate regardless.

If rates happen to go down, they might receive the option of a float-down to capture some of that improvement.

The rate lock periods are being offered in 60, 75, 90, and 120-day increments, with longer lock periods resulting in higher interest rates. And vice versa.

The Lock and Shop feature can be used in conjunction with Knock Home Swap and Knock GO (Guaranteed Offer), which allows first-time home buyers to compete with all-cash buyers.

Knock also recently launched an interest-free equity advance loan that can be used to buy down your mortgage rate and/or increase your down payment to lower monthly mortgage payments.

It can also be used to cover the cost of a rate lock extension via the Lock and Shop program.

Source: thetruthaboutmortgage.com

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how much should you pay a babysitter

how much should you pay a babysitter

Deciding how much to pay a babysitter can be a difficult task. Many factors should be taken into consideration, such as the age and experience of the babysitter, the number of children being cared for, the length and time of the job, and any special skills or tasks the babysitter may be performing. It may also be helpful to look at what other families in your area typically pay for similar services.

While it’s important to remember that while budget is important, you want to make sure that you are offering fair and competitive compensation for the sitter’s time and responsibilities. At the end of the day, trust your judgment and offer a rate that feels appropriate based on all factors involved. And don’t forget to factor in payment for gas or transportation if necessary! Ultimately, clear communication and mutual respect will go a long way in creating a successful babysitting arrangement for both parties involved.

Here are some general guidelines you can follow to make sure you’re paying a fair wage.

What are the average babysitting rates in 2022?

While rates vary depending on a number of factors, the national average hourly rate for babysitters in the United States in 2022 is $20.57 per hour, according to UrbanSitter.com.

Of course, rates can vary greatly depending on a number of factors, including your geographic location. Families in large metropolitan areas tend to pay higher rates than families in smaller towns or rural areas. Additionally, rates may be higher for overnight or live-in babysitting gigs, as well as for jobs that require special skills or tasks such as learning and educational babysitting, pet care, swimming supervision, or speaking a second language.

Additionally, keep in mind that the average hourly rate is just that – an average. Some families may be willing to pay above the average rate for an exceptional babysitter, while others may be working with a smaller budget and therefore offer a lower rate.

At the end of the day, it’s important to come to an agreement on compensation that feels fair for both parties involved based on all the factors involved in the job.

How do I figure out how much to pay my babysitter?

When trying to determine how much to pay your babysitter, it can be helpful to look at what other families in your area are paying for similar services. Of course, every family has different budget constraints, so you’ll want to tailor your own offer based on what you’re comfortable spending.

In general, you’ll want to consider the age and experience of the babysitter, the number of children being cared for, the length and time of the job, and any special skills or tasks the babysitter may be performing. Keep in mind that rates may be higher for overnight or live-in babysitting gigs, as well as for jobs that require special skills or tasks such as learning and educational babysitting, pet care, swimming supervision, or speaking a second language.

Additionally, with the price of gas, don’t forget to factor in a mileage reimbursement to cover gas or transportation

What do parents look for in a babysitter?

When looking for a babysitter, parents typically want someone who is reliable, mature, and responsible. They want someone who will follow their instructions and be able to take charge in case of an emergency. Additionally, many parents prefer to hire babysitters who have previous experience caring for children, whether through paid jobs or informally through family or friends.

Of course, every family is different, so it’s important to discuss your expectations with potential babysitters before hiring anyone. This way, you can be sure that you’re on the same page and that the babysitter you hire is the right fit for your family.

Babysitter Form

Looking for a printable babysitter form? Look no further! This form is perfect for parents who want to be sure the babysitter has the information they need to take care of your kids.

Download: Babysitter Form for Parents

What are some tips for negotiating pay with a potential babysitter?

When negotiating pay with a potential babysitter, it’s important, to be honest about your budget and expectations for the job. Be upfront about how much you’re willing to pay, as well as what tasks you’ll need the babysitter to perform. If you have any concerns or special requests, be sure to communicate these as well.

It can also be helpful to ask the babysitter what their rate is, as this will give you a starting point for negotiation. Remember that the average hourly rate for babysitters in the United States in 2022 is $20.57 per hour, so you’ll want to make sure you’re offering a competitive wage.

While we are all about pinching pennies here, at the end of the day, it’s important to come to an agreement on compensation that feels fair for both parties involved based on all the factors involved in the job.

Other Factors to Consider When Setting Your Rates for Child Care

How Old is the Babysitter?

The age of the babysitter is one important factor to consider when setting your rates. In general, older and more experienced babysitters will charge more per hour than those who are younger or just starting out.

However, it’s also important to remember that age doesn’t always equal experience. Some teenagers may have years of experience caring for children, while some adults may be new to the babysitting scene. It’s important to consider all qualifications when determining how much to pay your babysitter.

The Experience of the Babysitter

As we mentioned before, age isn’t the only thing to consider when it comes to experience. Some teenagers may have years of experience caring for children, while some adults may be new to the babysitting scene. It’s important to consider both age and experience when determining how much to pay your babysitter.

There’s a difference in experience, both in life skills and taking care of kids, between a neighbor’s teenage daughter and someone who has watched kids for years and is CPR and first-aid certified.

If you want to be sure that your children are in good hands, you may want to consider hiring a babysitter who has years of experience. These babysitters typically charge more per hour because they’re considered to be more reliable.

The Number of Children Being Cared For

Another factor to consider when setting your rates is the number of children being cared for. In general, the more children there are, the higher the hourly rate will be. This is because childcare providers have to divide their time and attention between multiple children, which can be challenging.

If you have more than one child, you may also want to consider hiring a babysitter who has experience caring for multiple children at once. This way, you can be sure that your children will be well taken care of and that they’ll have a more positive experience.

The Age of the Children

Another factor impacting the cost of a babysitter is the age of the children as infants and toddlers require more constant supervision and care than older children, so babysitters who are comfortable (and qualified) to care for them may charge a higher rate.

The Length of the Job

The length of the job is another important factor to consider when setting your rates. In general, shorter jobs will be less expensive than longer ones. This is because babysitters have to dedicate a larger portion of their time to shorter jobs.

If you only need a babysitter for a few hours, you may want to consider hiring someone who specializes in short-term care. These babysitters typically charge less per hour because they’re used to working for shorter periods of time.

The Time of Day or Night

The time of day or night is another factor to consider when setting your rates. In general, babysitting jobs that take place during the day will be less expensive than those that take place at night. This is because most people are available to work during the day, so there’s more competition for jobs.

If you need a babysitter for a nighttime job to cover a late shift at work, you may want to consider hiring someone who specializes in nighttime care. These babysitters typically have a higher going rate because they’re used to working when most people are asleep.

Also, if you plan to hire a sitter for special occasions such as New Year’s Eve or Valentine’s Day, you’ll typically need to pay a higher rate since sitters are in high demand.

The Location of the Job

The location of the job is another important factor to consider when setting your rates. In general, jobs that take place in urban areas will be more expensive than those that take place in rural areas due to cost of living. This is because babysitters in urban areas typically have to travel further to get to their jobs.

The Responsibilities of the Job

Another factor to consider when setting your rates is the responsibilities involved in the job. In general, jobs that require more responsibilities will be more expensive than those that don’t. This is because babysitters have to take on more tasks when they’re responsible for more things.

If you need a babysitter who is responsible for more than just watching your children, you may want to consider hiring someone who specializes in caregiving. These babysitters typically charge more per hour because they’re used to taking on additional tasks, such as household chores or preparing meals.

The Child’s Temperament

Another factor to consider when setting your rates is the kid’s temperament. In general, jobs that involve caring for children who are more difficult to handle will be more expensive than those that don’t. This is because babysitters have to put in more effort to deal with children who are fussy or temperamental.

If you have a child who is known to be difficult, you may want to consider hiring a babysitter who specializes in dealing with children like yours. These babysitters typically charge more per hour because they’re used to handling children with special needs.

What is the difference between a babysitter and a nanny?

A babysitter is typically defined as an older child or teenager who watches younger children for a short period of time, usually in the evening or overnight. A nanny, on the other hand, is a professional caregiver that is often working full-time and is responsible for all aspects of child care, including pick-ups and drop-offs, meal prep, homework help, and more. Because of the additional responsibilities, nannies typically earn higher hourly wages than babysitters.

When deciding whether to hire a babysitter or a nanny, it’s important to consider your needs and budget. If you only need someone for a few hours a week to watch your child while you run errands or go out for date night, a babysitter may be the better option. However, if you need regular child care during the day while you’re at work or if you have multiple children, a nanny may be a better fit.

There are many factors that influence the costs of a babysitter, and in the end, you’ll have to use your best judgment to determine how much to pay your babysitter. Consider all of the factors we’ve discussed and come to a decision that works for you, your family, and your babysitter. At the end of the day, what’s most important is that everyone is happy with the arrangement.

Source: pennypinchinmom.com

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You live in an awesome apartment community, the perfect place where you want to spend your free time hanging out.

But how do you find the people who want to hang out with you, too?

Check out these tips on how to earn the label “cool neighbor!” and enjoy the social time you spend in your apartment community.

Hang-out prep tips

Rule #1 of hanging out is finding people to do it with — but you don’t want to jump the gun on this. You need to scope out your apartment community and ease into conversation to find out which neighbors are “hang-out-able.”

Luckily, it’s easy. Just walk around. Linger at the mailbox (not too long, stalker!) and say hello to anyone who looks interesting. The same goes for the pool, gym, dog park and even the parking lot. The more mobile you are, the more people you meet.

Once you’ve created a few “hello, how’s it going” relationships, start stretching out your conversations to see whether you have common interests. When you find a few peeps that like the same things you do, it just might be time to take your hang-out to the next level.

How to Handle New Neighbor Anxiety

Chill one-on-one

Now that you’ve pegged a few potential hanger-outers, a one-on-one meet up will give you a chance to get to know them better. Two-person hang-outs can be a little intimidating because it’s up to you to keep the convo flowing, but it’s the best way to focus on your new friend and build a rapport.

Now, this face-to-face time doesn’t necessarily mean sipping herbal tea and commiserating about the girl/guy who broke your heart in 4th grade. Keep your first hang-out light and casual, but be yourself. Set up a plan to play tennis, go for a walk, carpool to the grocery, or sit by the pool after work. Easy-going chit-chat and a no-pressure vibe will help you find out whether your new friend is ready for a group hang.

Ways to Break the Ice with New Neighbors

Host a group hang

Hanging out in a group is super fun when you have the right people in the room. Definitely invite the one-on-one hangers who seem like they’d get along with a variety of personalities. Then organize a larger hang-out event in your apartment community – a party, by any other name!

Consider hosting a dinner party, book club, wine tasting, game night or cookout by the pool. You can cast a wide net by posting flyers at the mailboxes and on bulletin boards to invite the entire community. Or keep it smaller and only invite people on your floor or in your building, as well as the folks you’ve hung out with individually.

However you choose to organize it, a group hang-out is a great way to relax and get to know more people in your apartment community, as well as introduce them to each other.

How to Host a Dinner Party in Your ApartmentHow to Host a Game Night in Your Apartment

Avoid awkward moments

Remember, hanging out properly is a skill. You don’t want to come off as the person who will never leave a party. Until you get to know people better, keep your interactions short and your conversation light. If you get invited to a hang, don’t be the first one to show up and the last one to leave. Arrive 5-10 minutes after start time, bring a drink or snack and leave while the energy is still up. People will love hanging out with you, and you’ll likely get invited back.

What If Justin Bieber Moved In Next Door?

Be mindful that if someone doesn’t seem interested in hanging out, there’s no need to push the issue. Just move on; there are plenty more people in your apartment community who will be worthy hang-out buddies.

While this may seem like a lot of guidelines for something as simple as hanging out in your apartment community, it’s smart to start off on the right foot. Once you get a solid crew of people to hang with, your social agenda at home will be set!

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Pinterest, I just can’t quit you. You remain my go-to resource for recipes, decorating ideas and Monday morning outfit inspiration. Some 20,000 pins in, I have no plans to slow down. But neither do you. You came, you saw and you pinned like crazy too.

Here are the pics that had the ultimate pinning power in 2015…

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Covetable displays

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Drool-worthy desserts.

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Fresh dresses

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Classic design

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Delicious dishes.

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Minimalist bathrooms.

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Maximum style.

watermelon-radish-salad

Healthy bites.

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Cozy knits.

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Understated style.

You can find all these lovely pins right here. And I’ll be using this final week of 2015 to prep for January 1 – I’m banking all the organizing, the healthy recipe and workout ideas I can find. It’s time to get my life back on the straight and narrow. And carb free.

Pin with me RIGHT HERE!

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Source: apartment34.com

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Have you ever suddenly realized that you’re so busy with work, you don’t actually have any time for yourself, or for friends? Or have you ever found yourself working hard on something that literally nobody seems to enjoy with you? Forgetting to actually live our lives can creep up on any one of us. Maybe you’re working multiple jobs, trying to pay rent and save a little, or maybe you’re deeply entrenched in hustle culture, busy being a boss babe. Whatever it is that you’re doing, here are 13 subtle signs that you or someone you know may not have much of a life.

1. Talking About Other People

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Do you know someone who couldn’t just stop talking badly about other people? According to Redditors, these are the people who can’t mind their own business, maybe because they don’t have any interests to manage.

One person said, “My coworkers are like this. The gossip begins even before they’ve clocked in. I’ve stopped talking to them about anything except what’s necessary for work.”

Another one replied, “I learned not to tell a certain coworker anything too personal, because I knew the moment my back was turned he was somehow going to turn it into gossip. Idk how people like that maintain friendships.” 

2. Monitoring People’s Computer Time

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Monitoring people for how long they have been away from their computers sounded like someone who doesn’t have any other work to do. Redditors said it’s one of the subtle signs that these types of people don’t have a life.

“When we switched from Skype to Teams at work a manager told me they don’t like teams because it’s harder to track the online status of their employees,” one person shared.

“Get yourself a mouse jiggler. I’m ‘Active’ from the moment I wake up until it looks like I’ve done approximately a day’s worth of hours, or sometimes not even that long,” Another one added.

Another commenter replied, “I don’t know why employers require a certain number of hours online. If you’re getting all your work done, that’s the only thing that matters.”

3. Calling the Police on Innocent Kids

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One person stated, “This is under the subcategory of ‘Karen’.”

A second person replied, “That happens where I live. People are paranoid about everything these days.”

Finally, the third one added, “It happened here and the cop-calling Karen used the argument that the kids were selling [lemonade] on public property without a permit.”

4. Posting Everything on Social Media

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Do you know someone who posts everything that happened to them on social media, including the most personal details? Redditors think it’s a sign that someone doesn’t actually have much of a life.

One person stated, “There’s a word for it: vaguebooking.”

Another person shared, “Double points if they’re vague posts talking about all their haters. Like girl, you are 29 and work in a fast food joint. You don’t have haters.”

Then the third also shared, “I barely ever talk about personal or just real life stuff about me on the internet, why and how do people do this.”

5. Facebook Moms Group

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One person shared, “Those Facebook mom groups are the worst! Nothing but drama and bashing on one another. Well at least the one I used to be in.”

Another one replied, “All the humble bragging and my-child -is-better-than-yours comments lol.”

Another added, “Also spreading rumors about teachers, they’re the worst.”

6. Being a “Mean Girl”

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“It’s surprising how even at work it feels like high school. Same [drama],” one person stated.

While it’s not entirely wrong, bullies are everywhere, and the workplace is no exception.

“Hate this, hate mean people in general but especially girls who are just mean but pass it was jokes or not meaning it or just being cold. And then expect others to just expect it take it and move on,” another person added.

7. The Go-To Employee for Extra Shifts

Whether you’re just a workaholic or need money so badly, being the guy being offered extra hours makes it sound like you may not have a life outside work.

One person said, “I think that just means you need money.”

The second person replied, “Can be a bit of both for some people. I had a colleague who’d turn up hours early and stay long after his shift was finished just because he seemed to have nothing else going on in his life. I didn’t mind him but he was a generally unpopular member of staff so it wasn’t even welcome hanging out.”

“This reminds me of what a taxi driver once told me: the ones that go to the airport do it specifically because of the long wait times to get a passenger; they have nothing else in their lives going on,” the third also shared.

8. Obsessively Posting Relationship Statuses

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One person shared, “One of my high school friends told me that she posts things on Instagram and if they don’t get more than 20 likes she deletes them. That seemed really sad to me, that people continually check their posts and then delete them if they’re not ‘hitting’. I can maybe see it if it’s a celebrity or a business account, but this was just someone with a normal job.”

Another one added, “There’s been studies that show people in healthier relationships tend not to post about their relationships on social media very often.”

“I’ve noticed that. Random public post about how much they love the other person or how amazing their partner is—then a few months later it’s a post they’ve broken up. In a healthy relationship they’d be telling their partner these things, rather than others on social media. I wonder if it’s cognitive dissonance and they’re trying to convince themselves they’re in a happy relationship,” the third replied.

9. Making fun of People’s Hobbies

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One person said, “‘HA, playing video games?! Can’t you do anything useful with your life?!’ Yelled condescendingly by people who more often than not spend a majority of their evenings watching television.”

Another one shared, “I hate that. People often make fun of my collection of tax returns, but thanks to the internet I have found many others who share this hobby. It is a real thing.”

Well, whatever it is, making fun of someone’s hobby shouldn’t be encouraged.

10. Bragging about Working Long Hours

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

In a world where society praises people who work long hours as something positive, it could also say things in your personal life.

One person stated, “My philosophy is that if your job is personally enriching or you’re working for yourself or something like that, I love it. But if you’re salaried and working extra hours just to impress your boss while the only one who gets more dough is him? Ehh.”

Another user replied, “I work in education so most people don’t get OT pay because you have to grade and prep on weekends. But I always tell new teachers, it’s not a flex to say you had to stay up until 4 prepping or you used all weekend to grade. A well-rested, loving-their-own-life teacher is a good teacher.”

A third commenter added, “I used to do this. I had one job full time working the night shift and got a second job part time for fun at Starbucks. I’d do anywhere from 45-70 hours a week total and did 24 hour work days a couple times. I really did have no life then, and I was depressed; I worked so much to avoid feeling anything. It was a sad time in my life.”

11. You Only Talk about your Children

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“Tbh, if you work full time and you’re a parent, you probably don’t have much time to do much else outside of that. That is your life,” one person said.

“It’s possible to have a personality outside of being a parent,” the second one replied.

“This is me and it’s so sad. I’m too tired to even play computer games by the end of the day. Going grocery shopping without kids is a treat now. I dread having to socialize because I have nothing interesting to add to any conversation anymore,” the third added.

12. Trying to look Tough on Internet

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Another indication is trying to look tough on the internet and arguing with everybody about how tough you are.

One person quoted jokingly, “‘I insulted the other guy and made him look bad, I must’ve won the argument!’”

Another user added, “Yeah this one guy was commenting on my friends insta gym progress pic (friend is a little smaller but working on it). He said he could lift my friend WHILE he was holding weights. I just saw red. You can say whatever you want about me, but if you TALK about my FRIENDS I just see red.”

13. Constantly Wondering about Others

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

People’s lives aren’t yours to worry about unless that person is close to you and wants the best for them. However, if you’re constantly tracking everyone’s lives and judging them about it, Redditors said that it might be time to get a life.

One person shared, “Very many people have been bothered by the fact that I don’t drink or smoke. Not sure why it riles people up so much.”

Another Redditor added, “Worrying about what other people might be thinking.”

A third also shared, “Omg one of my close friend does this all the time I really like everything about her except this and I hate listening her judge about others all the time.”

Original Reddit thread here.

10 Terrible Movies That Everyone Seems to Love

bad movie, movie, entertainment
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Have you ever decided a movie was completely terrible only to discover everyone else seems to love it? You’re not alone: check out this post of terrible movies that people said they really enjoyed!

10 Movies You Will Want to Watch Over and Over Again

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What’s your go-to comfort movie? We put together a whole post of movies people said they could watch again and again.

Here are 10 of The Most Beautiful Songs People Have Ever Heard

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What’s your absolute favorite song? Here’s a list of songs people deemed the most beautiful song they’ve ever heard.

10 Incredible Movies That People Rated 10 Out of 10

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It can be hard to find a really great movie to watch; most of them fall short in one way or another. But these ten movies are perfect in almost every way.

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



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Source: financequickfix.com

Apache is functioning normally

Barndominiums have certainly come a long way since their introduction to the residential real estate market.

Today, these mostly rural residences that offer a combination shop and living quarters under one roof have gained in popularity, not only for their open floor plans, but also for their enormous spaces.

Often located on large parcels of land, the barn houses don’t have to be bland. In fact, we found five on the market that have raised the bar for both country style and ultraluxe add-ons.

Offering lots of space and less maintenance than a traditional home, the barndominium is now one of the hottest home styles on the market. Once considered an affordable alternative to conventional construction, many are now outfitted with luxury amenities.

From a resort-style home on 110 acres in Texas to a Colorado beauty with mountain views and a private airstrip, here are five luxurious barndominiums on the market that completely redefine the idea of country living.

Price: $659,900
Magnificent in Mississippi: This recently transformed home sits on just under 16 acres.

The four-bedroom barndominium was completed in December 2022. It boasts a great room with a gas fireplace, custom built-in shelves, wide-plank floors, and window walls to let the natural light soak in.

The stylish eat-in kitchen offers a huge island with seating, a walk-in pantry, and a gas cooktop. The primary suite on the main level features a soaking tub and shower. Three more bedrooms can be found upstairs, and there’s a covered patio out back.

The enormous workshop area can also accommodate two cars.

Sumrall, MS

(Realtor.com)

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Price: $2,500,000
Extra-large living: This barndominium is proof that everything is bigger in Texas!

Sitting on 110 acres, the six-bedroom home boasts three entrances from the road, two full kitchens, and an outdoor oasis. With two separate entry doors, the residence could be used as two separate domiciles that connect through a hallway.

On one side, there’s a primary bedroom, living room, and kitchen with a butler’s pantry. The other side has a chef’s kitchen that opens to the pool area, a living room, two dining areas, and four bedrooms upstairs.

The separate, 2,400-square-foot shop has a full bathroom and can fit an RV.

The property includes an outdoor kitchen with a built-in grill, a pool and spa, and a fire pit.

Poolville, TX

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Price: $779,900
Modern in Michigan: This expansive, five-bedroom home gives new meaning to open-concept living.

The 4,271 square feet of space boasts 18-foot-high ceilings, exposed beams, and a large loft. Sliding barn doors, oversized windows, and sliding glass doors can be found throughout the bright and airy space.

The two-story great room features a loft area and a wall of windows overlooking the backyard. The upscale kitchen boasts a walk-in pantry and two enormous islands, including one with a prep sink.

The primary suite is on the first floor and has a walk-in shower with dual rain showerheads and a soaking tub. A floating staircase from the living room leads to four more bedrooms. There’s an oversized garage and a separate shop area with a bathroom.

Built in 2021, this barndominium sits on a 21-acre wooded lot.

Burt, MI

(Realtor.com)

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Price: $1,499,999
Take off in Colorado: This 7-acre property offers the opportunity to live, work, and fly.

The 6,744-square-foot barndominium comes with a private airstrip. The open floor plan features a spacious living room with a high ceiling and a gas fireplace. The bright kitchen is equipped with stainless-steel appliances, quartz countertops, and a large island with seating. The dining area is surrounded by windows overlooking the covered patio with a fire pit. There’s also a separate office area, and the recreation room has a wet bar and pool table.

The workshop includes a bathroom, infrared-ceiling heat, and five garage doors. The listing notes that its construction allows for a future conversion to an airplane hangar.

Montrose, CO

(Realtor.com)

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Price: $1,500,000
Sweet country home: This 3,757-square-foot open floor plan features custom cabinets, copper sinks, and wood beams.

The enormous living area has a cathedral ceiling and abundant windows. The modern kitchen boasts four ovens, a granite-top island with a breakfast bar, and a farmhouse sink. The walk-in pantry has space for an additional fridge or freezer.

The primary bedroom has sliding barn doors with direct access to a covered patio. The en suite bathroom has a soaking tub and gas fireplace.

The oversized shop area comes with two overhead doors, plus an outdoor covered area. The price was recently reduced by $150,000.

The 19-acre picturesque property has a creek running through it and includes storage sheds and a fenced area for animals.

Nevada, TX

(Realtor.com)

Source: realtor.com

Apache is functioning normally

When my husband and I walked into our last home for the first time, we felt like we were walking right into the ’70s. With disco-era fixtures and old smelly carpet, the four bedroom colonial was quite the sight. Oh, and let’s not forget the orange laminate flooring that graced the kitchen and bathrooms. Except for the master bathroom, of course. It had shag carpet.

But, for every problem we saw, we also saw potential. Paint can work miracles, after all, and floors are fairly easy to replace. And the kitchen? It wasn’t great, but we thought new appliances and flooring would make it workable. Plus, the bones of the house were in great shape. Built in the ’70s, the brick exterior and interior of the home were in impeccable condition. The house also had beautiful dark woodwork all over the place, a feature that was currently overshadowed by all of the ugly going on.

Doing it Ourselves

After closing, we spent the next month scraping up laminate and tearing up carpet, painting, and cleaning. After that, we planned to have a professional install tile floors in the kitchen, sun room, and bathrooms, and then have carpet put in everywhere else. So we headed to the local home improvement store.

I’ll never forget the day I found out how much it costs to have someone install tile.

“Excuse me. $5 per square foot for installation?” I wondered how that could be possible. “But the tile is only $1.49 per square foot.” Could that possibly be right?

After talking to a few people in the industry, I found out that tile installation is rather messy and labor intensive, which is why it was so dang expensive. And since we planned on putting in almost 800 square feet of tile, we decided to do it ourselves. How hard could it be?

Practice Doesn’t Always Make Perfect

Since we had so much tile to install and no experience, we called in reinforcements. We hired a family friend to help us cut and lay the tile for $20 an hour. Together, we laid all of the tile over the course of three days. And when it was all said and done, I was pretty happy with the job.

Until I wasn’t.

After we moved in, I spotted a few uneven and crooked tiles. Even worse was the fact that the grout kept coming up in several places, even after sealing it multiple times. No one else seemed to notice the imperfections, including my husband, so I chalked it up to the fact that I’m slightly OCD. But it still drove me crazy, and I was constantly touching up and adding grout all over the house during the six years we lived in the home. And it was a pain.

What I Learned

In the world of personal finance, it’s often considered a weakness to pay someone to do something you can do yourself. And believe me, I get it. We’re all trying to save money any way we can, right? In that respect, paying for labor doesn’t seem all that smart.

One the other hand, my own lack of skills gave me reason to believe that it’s not always a bad idea. Hell, I worked in a mortuary at the time. What did I know about tile floor installation? Unfortunately, nothing.

The fact is, some people aren’t particularly handy or skilled in construction. Others might not have the time to devote to large projects. Or maybe home remodeling just isn’t your forte, and that’s okay too.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to save when you can’t (or don’t want to) do it yourself. Here’s what I’ve learned:

  • Do the prep work yourself: Even if you need to hire skilled labor for your project, you can still do the prep work yourself and save some cash in the process. For instance, carpet companies, as well as the big box stores, can charge as much as 50 cents per square foot to tear up, and dispose of, your old carpet. Paying someone to tear up old tile can cost considerably more. Doing these chores yourself is a great way to save if you have the time and ability.
  • Determine your scope of ability: Unfortunately for us, I’ve learned that our skills are limited to painting and grunt work. But, your scope of ability might be different. Maybe you’re skilled at carpentry or have some basic plumbing skills. Whatever it is, find ways to put those skills to work.
  • Shop around to save: If you have to pay someone to install cabinets, remodel a bathroom, or lay carpet or tile, it really does pay to shop around. Look for sales, coupons, or special discounts at competing stores. Also consider local contractors for the work, as they may be willing to meet or beat their competitor’s prices.
  • Compare apples to apples: When comparing prices for your home remodel, it’s important to compare apples to apples. A perfect example is when you’re shopping for flooring. In addition to the price for the carpet or flooring itself, there are a whole host of other expenses to compare. These can include tear-up of old carpet, padding, installation, and stairs. Some companies even charge to move furniture.

Putting Those Lessons to the Test

This summer, my husband made a career change that didn’t quite work out. So, after careful thought and consideration, we decided to sell our house and move to a different town where he could find work. And after living in a small, temporary home for a few months, we finally found a house we wanted to buy. And rather predictably, it’s somewhat of a fixer-upper.

But this time, things are different. First of all, we now have kids, which means we can’t spend every evening and weekend working on a large project. And since we’ve made peace with our limited home remodeling skills, we’ve chosen to leave most of the work to the professionals. Here are the updates we’re working on, as well as where we saved:

  • Carpet: With so many variables, carpet shopping can become a tricky endeavor. After comparing pricing and quality at five different stores, we chose a 100 percent polyester carpet for all of the bedrooms. The store we chose offers free installation with any purchase over $1,500 and had the best quality padding available at 20 cents less than their competitors. When you’re buying a lot of carpet, those small savings really add up!
  • Tile: We found acceptable porcelain tile at the local home improvement store for only 89 cents per square foot. And, since we failed miserably at tile installation last time, we chose to hire a contractor to install the subfloor and tile. Fortunately, he said he could do the installation less than what the big box stores are charging, which led to additional savings.
  • Paint: Since we’re relatively skilled at painting, we chose to paint the entire interior of our new home ourselves.We’re saving by doing all of the work ourselves, obviously, and by painting the majority of the home one color — a smooth, creamy water chestnut.
  • Kitchen: Our new home still has the original kitchen cabinets. And while they’re holding up relatively well, they’re not all that great either. But, instead of replacing them, we’re currently in the process of cleaning them up and staining them a slightly darker color. In addition, we’re getting new countertops to replace the cracked and mismatched counters currently in the home. And since we’ve never installed countertops before, we’re hiring that part out.

Do you remodel your home yourself? Are there certain projects that you feel are beyond your scope of ability?

Source: getrichslowly.org