Low-cost kitchen storage strategies bring calm to your kitchen, banishing stress-inducing clutter and leaving the space calm and orderly.

Good news for budget-minded cleaning compulsives: Getting organized in the kitchen won’t drain your piggy bank. Stash more cash and control the chaos with these low-cost kitchen storage solutions, all readily available at home centers, discount stores, and online.

Rack attack: Store pots, everyday dishes, spices, and wine on racks that are freestanding, wall-hung, and ceiling-hung—and voila! Everything is in its own location, visible, and easily accessible!

Position the racks where they make sense: A pot rack above the cooktop; a dish rack close to the dishwasher for quick unloading; spices near the range or meal prep area; a wine rack near the wine glasses and dining table.

You’ll find racks in metal, wood, and other materials, starting as low as $10 to $15.

Shelf expression: You can size an open shelf to fit anywhere you need it and paint or stain it to match your décor. Use shelves for storing such kitchen necessities as cookbooks, attractive dishware, oils and vinegars, and spices.

Home improvement centers have storage sections where you can hunt, but don’t overlook the office supply and bathroom sections for even more low-cost shelves.

You’ll find cool shelves starting as low as $8.

Great divide: Organize the contents of kitchen drawers and cabinets with wire or wood inserts. Drawer dividers keep utensils sorted and orderly. Vertical dividers inside cabinets create a spot for storing trays and cookie sheets. You’ll also find special inserts for storing knives and spices neatly inside drawers.

Available in wire, wood, or plastic, dividers start at about $3.

Elevated thinking: Wire stacking shelves have legs to elevate the storage surface. Set a stacking shelf on a countertop, existing shelf, or inside a cabinet to increase kitchen storage space. Use a stacking shelf for canned goods, dishware, spices, and more.

Prices start at about $6.

Hang ups: Install pegs or hooks along a backsplash, inside cabinets, or anywhere on a kitchen wall to create a place for cups, hot pads, cooking utensils, keys, and recipe clips. Hooks are available that fit over doors or come equipped with magnets that adhere to any metal surface.

Pegs and hooks start as low as $1.

Basket case: Baskets come in a variety of materials to complement your décor, from natural woven grasses to canvas to colorful plastic bins. Set baskets on open shelves, inside cupboards, and on the kitchen counter to round up small items, such as napkin rings and bamboo skewers.

Baskets are great for storing dish towels, cloth napkins, and coupons. Prices start as low as $1.

With four home renovations to her credit, Jan Soults Walker is a devotee of improvements, products, and trends for the home and garden. For 25 years she’s written for a number of national home shelter publications, and has authored 18 books on home improvement and decorating.

Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/articles/low-cost-kitchen-storage-cheap-stress-reduction/#ixzz1VIJCE6hE

More homeowners prefer to pay off their mortgages sooner as interest rates have stayed near rock-bottom and weak labor conditions have caused them to reduce their debt loads, a survey showed on Monday.

The current trend in refinancing into shorter-loan terms is a stark contrast to the one during the height of the housing boom, when families were taking out bigger mortgages against the rising values of their homes.

Of those homeowners who refinanced a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage during the second quarter, 37 percent moved into a 15-year or 20-year fixed-rate loan. This is the highest since the third quarter of 2003, mortgage finance agency Freddie Mac (FMCC.OB) said.

In the second quarter, interest on the 30-year mortgage averaged 4.65 percent, compared with a 3.84 percent average on 15-year mortgages, the company said.

"It's no wonder we continue to see strong refinance activity into fixed-rate loans," Freddie Mac Chief Economist Frank Nothaft said in a statement.

Refinancing has comprised the bulk of U.S. mortgage activity since the housing bust that led to the 2007-2009 global financial crisis.

During the second quarter, the refinance share of mortgage applications, versus the share of applications for loans to buy a home, averaged 70 percent, Freddie Mac said.

Source: http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110815/bs_nm/us_usa_mortgages_freddiemac

SANTA CLAUS, IN - Holiday World is no stranger when it comes to topping "best of" lists. They've had number one rides, been called the nation's friendliest and cleanest park, and now comes another distinction.

Travel website, tripadvisor.com, has named Holiday World's Splashin' Safari as the number one water park in the country.

In giving Splashin' Safari the top spot on their list, Tripadvisor.com cited what they referred to as "aquatic delights" such as the Wildebeest water coaster, and the parks practice of providing free soft drinks and sunscreen.

"This is huge," says Holiday World & Splashin' Safari president Dan Koch. "Our country has so many excellent water parks; it's humbling to be declared the best."

Last week, Holiday World officials announced they will be adding yet another attraction to Splashin' Safari. A second water coaster called "Mammoth" will open next May.

Here is tripadvisor's top ten water parks list:

• 1. Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, Santa Claus, Indiana
• 2. Typhoon Lagoon, Orlando, Florida
• 3. Noah's Ark Water Park, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
• 4. Morey's Piers, Wildwood, New Jersey
• 5. Kahuna Laguna, North Conway, New Hampshire
• 6. Water Country USA, Williamsburg, Virginia
• 7. NRH20 Waterpark, North Richland Hills, Texas
• 8. Adventureland, Des Moines, Iowa
• 9. Aquatica (SeaWorld's Waterpark), Orlando, Florida
• 10. Wild Water & Wheels, Surfside Beach, South Carolina

Source: http://www.news25.us/story/15248434/holiday-world-named-number-one-water-park-in-country

Do you dream of owning property? Perhaps multiple investment properties from which to earn a monthly stream of income? Ah, the life… 

But before you contact your real estate agent, consider what’s really involved. If you want to create an income immediately, you’ll need to rent your property. Though the proposition may sound simple, it is anything but. The information that follows details the downsides to property management.

It’s not meant to dissuade you from moving forward, but instead to show you that there are downsides as well as advantages to buying and managing rental property. Don’t let the potential to earn money cloud your vision when considering whether or not you’re cut out for it.

Read More Here: Issues With Becoming A Landlord

Source: http://www.moneycrashers.com/five-issues-with-buying-rental-property-and-becoming-a-landlord/

Connecting to the Internet over Wi-Fi hot spots in public areas, such as cafes or hotels, may be risky if you’re sending sensitive information over an unsecured network. Cybercriminals can conduct electronic eavesdropping, known as “sniffing,” by tapping into your information via public Wi-Fi hotspots and downloading or storing it for review later, security experts warn.

Many Web sites, such as banking sites, are encrypted. But the information you transmit from your laptop over a public Wi-Fi network to access that information may not be, says Kelly Davis-Felner, marketing director for the Wi-Fi Alliance, a global nonprofit industry association.

Another danger that security experts warn about is logging into a public hot spot home page that can be a phishing scam. The page may trick you to reveal your credit card number, birth date, or other personal information that could put you at risk for identity theft.

"You should always assume the worst and that you don't have security protection and conduct yourself accordingly," says Davis-Felner.

Some road warrior professionals use a virtual private network (VPN), which is software that protects data transmissions when accessing any work data. Others are also using a MiFi, a secure mobile Wi-Fi hotspot over a cellular network, to keep their data safe from attacks.

Source: “Mobile Security Challenges Travelers; Always-on Devices Can Leave You Vulnerable to Criminals,” The News &

Today’s cost-conscious home owner is focused on two things: reducing costs and protecting the value of their home. You can do both with these five home improvement projects that cost less than $25 and can save you thousands in future repairs, according to HouseMaster, a home inspection franchise.

1. Be aware of termite or carpenter ant damage. Home owners who diligently check their property and foundation can alleviate serious termite or carpenter ant problems. Before selling or purchasing a home, look closely for any signs such as “mud tubes” or wood damage. Also, moving wood piles and debris away from the home can eliminate termite or carpenter ant problems.

2. When it rains, it pours. One of the most common places for water damage is in a bathroom. When grout breaks down, water can easily get behind the tiles and cause them to come loose. An easy solution to this is to re-grout, caulk, and use sealant on bathroom tile and surrounding fixtures. In other cases, where water penetration is affecting the foundation of a house, a splash box is a cost-efficient solution to direct water away from the foundation.

3. Clean the gutters. Stained siding under a gutter indicates overflowing, which can cause structural damage. In addition, overgrown vegetation on gutters can cause clogging or potential termite issues. Trimming vegetation away from the house and cleaning gutters offers many advantages and minimizes the risk for potential costly repairs in the future.

4. Replace rusting roof flashings. Flashings deteriorate over time and can allow water penetration, resulting in expensive damage to the underlying roof structure. For under $25, replace roof flashings or apply sealant to the problem area.

5. Seal your deck. If not properly maintained decks are very susceptible to the effects of weather exposure. Once wood becomes rotted, it’s more likely to be infested by termites, carpenter ants, etc. Purchase deck sealant at an inexpensive price to seal your deck and prevent future damage.

Read more: http://www.houselogic.com/news/articles/5-home-improvement-projects-under-25/#ixzz1UjSSYpVS

There is nothing that I like better than to find an additional use for a common household item. This can cut down on having to buy additional cleaners and/or chemicals for my household, which is always good. And of course, invariably these additional uses will save you money. Once I got into living frugally, I really began to research these “extra” uses. Some of them are quite ingenious! I’ve come up with a short list of multiple uses for five common items you likely have around your house. The list is by no means inclusive, so feel free to add your ideas in the comments section. I know that some of you house moms and dads have some great ideas out there!

Dryer Sheets

The best part I like about these additional uses is that for a lot of them the dryer sheet doesn’t even have to be new. So with these ideas, you are really getting something for free while also recycling your products. Dryer sheets can be used to get pet hair off of furniture and clothing, and, if you put a little fabric softener on one, you can then remove dust from a TV screen or computer monitor and keep it from coming back.

Some additional uses…

• Remove burnt food from casserole dishes (soak in warm water with the sheet)
• Get rid of and prevent odors just about anywhere you can think of (even in your shoes!)
• Remove soap build up from your shower
• Place in your clothes drawer or suitcase while vacationing for that “just washed” smell all the time
• Clean paint brushes (soak in warm water with the sheet)

Aluminum Foil

Would you like to cook the perfect pie crust? Wrap the edges in aluminum foil. Line your grill with it and pokes holes in it to prevent chicken/meats from cooking too fast. Scissors need sharpening? Cut through a few pieces of foil, and presto—sharp scissors.

A few more…

• To reuse a paint brush for the same job without having to clean it, wrap it in foil, place in fridge
• Wrap doorknobs with it while painting
• Line paint tray with it rather than buying the premade plastic inserts
• Polishing silverware. What a time saver! Line a pan with foil, fill with cold water. Add a little salt, put silver in for three minutes. Rinse and dry.

WD40

This list could be a mile long. Far too many uses to get into all of them. But keep in mind that the manufacturer does not recommend a lot of the uses for how people use it. I’ve included only some of those that have the blessing of the makers of WD40. In addition to it lubricating almost everything, it will also:

• Loosen zippers
• Clean roof racks on vehicles
• Remove bug “guts” on your car’s grill
• Removes remnants of duct tape
• Keeps rust away from most tools
• Keeps pigeons away (they dislike the smell)
• Removes black scuffmarks from kitchen floors

White Vinegar

One of my new found favorites. You can substitute a little white vinegar for just about any household cleaning job. White vinegar can be used to clean the hoses in your washing machine, the insides of your coffee maker, the inside of your steam iron, and a variety of other things. Freeze some with some water and grind through your garbage disposal to get rid of odors there too! Some others you may not have known about are…

• Remove chewing gum
• Help pain from sunburn
• Soothe a sore throat
• Itching
• Ear infections
• Athlete’s Foot
• Remedy for acne
• Body odor
• Cure for hiccups

This list could go on forever…

Toothpaste

Toothpaste can clean, it can deodorize, and it can make you more beautiful! A short list of some unintended uses for toothpaste:

• Remove pimples
• Polish nails (nails are similar in their makeup to teeth)
• Car freshener (wrap some in paper towels and put under your seat)
• Clean walls, jewelry, shoes, and even piano keys
• Hang posters on the wall (no lie)
• Sub for spackle (will fill nail holes on walls)

So there you go. A whole host of new uses for items I am pretty sure you have lying around the house. A few of these I already knew about, a lot of them I didn’t. I can’t even imagine the savings if you employ half of these ideas.

Care to elaborate on any of these lists?

Source: http://www.moneycrashers.com/little-known-uses-for-five-common-household-items/

Carbon monoxide (CO) in your home can be a quiet, deadly killer. You can’t see or smell it, but in high enough levels, it can kill someone in moments. CO is produced whenever any fuel is burned – oil, gas, wood, charcoal, etc…Typically, the amount released into your home environment from well-maintained and properly operating appliances, but still hundreds of people die every year from CO poisoning.

Symptoms of CO poisoning:

• dizziness
• confusion
• nausea
• fainting

If you suspect CO poisoning – get to fresh air, and get an emergency room quickly. Be sure to let the doctor know you suspect CO poisoning.

Prevention is the best way to avoid CO Poisoning

• Have your fuel burning appliances checked regularly
• Don’t idle your car in your garage
• Choose appliances that vent outside whenever possible
• Follow all instructions on your fuel burning appliances
• Install CO detectors
• Don’t ignore any symptoms, especially if multiple members of the household experience them

The Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville reports it has helped secure more than 900 job commitments and $13.2 million in capital investments so far this year. The organization says the professional & business services sector is expected to create the most jobs and investments. Innovation Pointe, a high-tech business incubator managed by the group, is also seeing growth.

EVANSVILLE, IN — The year 2011 is looking optimistic for the Greater Evansville economy. Over 900 jobs have been announced with more than $13.2 million in capital investments expected over the next five-year period. According to the Applied Economics Impact Model, the jobs created in Greater Evansville will have an economic impact of $890 million over the next five years. “This figure represents the total impact these projects will have on our community and takes into consideration the primary jobs created by the companies as well as secondary jobs such as construction, personal and professional services, retail, etc.,” said Donna Crooks, Business Development Director for the Growth Alliance.

The Professional & Business Services sector is expected to create the most jobs and capital investments. Nearly one-half of the projects represent the Manufacturing sector which continues to be strength of the area. “The amount of activity experienced in Greater Evansville in the past 6 months is certainly encouraging for the economic growth of the area considering the current state of our national economy,” said Debbie Dewey, President of the Growth Alliance.

The Growth Alliance also remains committed to assisting existing companies in the area. Three out of the seven companies assisted this year are local businesses that made a commitment to bring new jobs or to keep existing jobs in Evansville instead of choosing other obtainable locations within the United States.

Innovation Pointe, a high tech business incubator managed by the Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville is currently occupied by 29 clients, and approximately 75+ employees. In 2011, the Growth Alliance has personally met and assisted 34 potential Innovation Pointe clients. Of the 34 potential clients, 9 have located at Innovation Pointe.

The Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville and Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, (NSWC) Crane) have an innovative Technology Transfer agreement that holds tremendous potential for area businesses. The Technology Transfer agreement allows the Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville access to federal lab technologies and patents, making them available to area businesses and entrepreneurs that are looking to new ideas for products, services and problem solutions. In 2011, four companies have engaged in Technology Transfer activities to identify federal lab technologies that respond to specific company needs and areas of interest. Of the four companies, two are actively investigating new materials developed through federal labs.

The Growth Alliance also works hard to support the City’s redevelopment plan to produce a vital Downtown that attracts businesses. In 2011, the Growth Alliance has assisted four new and two existing companies with interest in development or expansion in Downtown Evansville. In addition to this, 16 Downtown businesses were assisted through the Downtown Design Review process in regards to exterior renovations and/or changes to property in the Downtown Redevelopment Area.

Even with the oppressive heat, the 2011 Vanderburgh County Farm Bureau Farmers’ Market, hosted by the Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville, has proven to be successful. The Friday market currently has 32 registered vendors, with additional vendors applying each week.

The Fourth of July Freedom Celebration & Fireworks Spectacular produced by the Growth Alliance continues to be a summertime favorite for many tri-state families. Attendance continues to grow with a reported 40,000+ spectators at the 2011 event.
For further information regarding the Mid-Year Report of Performance from the Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville, you may visit, http://www.evansvillegage.com/wp-content/uploads/MID-YEAR-REPORT_FOR-WEBSITE-revised.pdf

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The Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville is a non-for-profit 501c(3) that was created in early 2007 because government and business representatives were searching for a comprehensive focused approach for economic development. The Growth Alliance provides support for strategic programs that enhance the overall economic vitality of the area.

Mission: to drive and support economic development activities for the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County, Indiana aimed at: attracting and creating new jobs and new revenue dollars, retaining existing jobs and revenue dollars, effectively allocating available resources and recognizing the priorities of basic industries in driving sustainable growth.

Source: The Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville & InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=49099