Oh to live in Darwin at this time of the year! Temperatures in that city this week are expected to average 32 degrees, with overnight lows of 21.

For the rest of us, the pre-winter chill is certainly starting to bite. As we move into the colder months, here are 10 ways to warm up your home.

1. Prune those sun-suckers

Shady plants are great in summer, especially on the north and western sides of your property. But at this time of the year you want to get as much sun into your house as you can. Now is the time to prune plants blocking out your sunlight, if possible.

2. Let the sun in

When the sun is shining, remember to open curtains and blinds during the day, especially on the northern side of your home, but also the east (in the morning) and the west (in the afternoon).

However, you might consider leaving south-facing blinds and curtains closed on days when it is colder outside than in as the sun won’t hit those windows.

It’s very common to see homes shut up all day long with the curtains drawn. But before you head off to work or out for the day, opening the blinds and curtains on windows that get the sun can mean coming home to a much warmer property.

3. Block the cold out

Overnight you want to stop the warm air from inside your home being lost through the glass of your windows. It’s important to cover the windows to do this.

Either use thick curtains and a pelmet overhead to stop the air from getting to the window, or consider good-quality honeycomb (also known as cellular) blinds, which pull up almost out of sight during the day to let maximum sunlight in, but do a fantastic job of blocking the windows overnight, or on colder days when there is a lot of cloud cover.

The great thing about honeycomb blinds is you don’t end up with the heavy look of thick curtains but still get the insulating effect. They do look a bit like they belong in an office and not a home though, and if that bothers you, you can layer them behind a very light sheer curtain to soften their impact. Or of course, for even more insulation, a heavier curtain.

4. Fan-tastic

If you have ceiling fans, now is the time to switch them over to winter mode so that they run backwards. Put them on their lowest speed and they will direct the warm air from across the ceilings where it sits high up, and down the walls.

If you get condensation on your windows overnight, you’ll probably notice that leaving a fan on in winter mode during the day can help to dry the windows out faster.

5. Draughts be gone

Gaps around doors and windows can let in a lot of draughts. Block them up with an appropriate draught-sealer. Your local hardware store will have plenty of options.

Consider also a good old-fashioned door snake if you find it hard to seal the bottom of doors, which is often the case in older houses where steps may have worn, or doors are not quite square.

If you have particularly cold rooms in the home – the spare bedroom or laundry, for example, consider draught-sealing the door that separate that room or rooms from the rest of the home.

However, it is important to note that if you use unflued gas heating or an open fire, you will need to ensure you have adequate ventilation at home.

6. Monitor it

If you happen to be someone who is at home during the day, you’ll have the opportunity to throw open the windows and let the warmth in on the days when it becomes hotter inside than out, which can often happen at this time of year.

It can be helpful to have a thermometer with an outdoor sensor set up in a prominent spot in the home to let you know when it is warmer outside than in. Hardware stores often stock them – I have one a bit like this.

It will also come in handy in summer when you’ve got the opposite problem and you want to know when it has cooled enough to open the windows in the evening.

7. Go passive

A few months ago we installed a solar heater, which draws the warm air from the roof cavity into the home. You can read about it here.

I’m pleased to say it seems to working well at this time of year (when we hoped it would) helping to raise the home’s temperature by a critical three-four degrees, meaning the heater has pretty much stayed off so far, even on cooler nights.

Because our home is well-insulated, draught-sealed and has honeycomb blinds on almost all windows, when it warms up during the day it manages to hold the temperature overnight.

8. They mightn’t be pretty but…

Okay, I’ll admit that old-style aluminium roller shutters are butt-ugly.

When we inherited two shutters on the ’50s brick box we bought a year or so back, I was tempted to rip them off. But instead we gave them a paint job (a marginal improvement) and now find in winter, we wouldn’t be without them.

When the shutter goes down about the same time as the sun it’s like instant double-glazing, you can feel the difference because the shutter helps to provide an air pocket between our old single-pane glass windows and the cold night air.

They work so well I’m even tempted to put them on a few more windows.

9. Cook up a storm

It really is a time of year for baking and slow cooking. The house will definitely warm up, but will you be able to resist all that yummy food?

10. Control the thermostat

Running your heater at 18-21 degrees will keep you comfortable without toasting, and will also keep your winter heating bills down. Just one degree more in temperature can increase your heating costs by 15 per cent.

Story by Carolyn Boyd is a property journalist and keen follower of Australia’s housing market.

Source: www.domain.com.au

Many small businesses operate from the owner’s home. This could mean the factory is a shed in the backyard and the office a corner of the kitchen or dining room table.

For others the business can have a separate section of the home or permanent structure on the property used exclusively by the business. The facts of each case will determine what costs can be claimed as a tax deduction.

Business owners are often keen to claim a percentage of the interest on a loan where a mortgage has been taken out to purchase the property. The ability to claim property related expenses will depend on two tests being passed.

The first requires part of the home or the property to be set aside exclusively as a place of business. This would mean the part of the home used for business purposes could not have a dual private usage component. Setting up half of a large rumpus room as an office, with the rest being used for private purposes, would not satisfy this test.

In addition to the exclusive use test the section used for business purposes must be clearly identifiable. This can often mean that there is an entrance for the part used as a home and a separate entrance for the section relating to the business.

Building a shed that is used exclusively by a business for manufacturing or storage purposes would result in part of a property being classed as business premises.

If these tests are passed a portion of the property related expenses can be claimed including interest on the loan to purchase the property and rates. The method used to apportion the expenses must be able to stand up to the scrutiny of the ATO. An accepted method is calculating the area used for business purposes as percentage of the total area of the home.

In addition to the property related costs a tax deduction can also be claimed for the occupancy costs such as electricity, gas, telephone and internet usage. For these costs the owners must again be able to prove how they apportioned them between business and private usage.

Where the business property tests cannot be passed a business can still claim a portion of occupancy costs.

The ability to claim property related expenses does however come at a cost. By establishing a home or property is used for business results in a loss of the main residence capital gains tax exemption for that part of the home or property.

This will mean the owners of the business need to have the home valued at the time it starts to be used for business purposes. When the property is sold a portion of the difference between the net sale proceeds and the value when the business was started will be taxable as a capital gain.

Thankfully in this situation if a business owner passes the small business capital gains tax exemption tests income tax may still not be payable.

Tax for small business, a survival guide, by Max Newnham is available in bookstores.

Story source: www.domain.com.au

Balconies and balustrades have come along way over recent years. The choices are now far greater and the safety aspects have improved out of sight. Little ones can no longer easily climb up and wave down precariously at you from your second storey. This is very good news for parents!

Glass is currently one of the most popular material options for balustrading. It works brilliantly on a new house or apartment and is also an excellent way to modernise an existing home under renovation. For obvious reasons glass is also a clear winner for properties with a great view. Glass balustrading is not for the budget conscious, however, and cleaning it can be somewhat of a chore, but glass doesn’t rot and need replacing over time.

The other extremely popular choice these days is the wire balustrade. This simple yet stylish look can instantly complete a coastal weatherboard home giving it that classic nautical theme. Wire can also look great on ground level decking or low level balconies that still need some kind of railing. Internal stair casing also looks chic with wire incorporated into the design.

For a more traditional look, you can’t go past timber. It’s timeless and attractive and blends well with most home types. It does require some ongoing maintenance but if kept in good nick, it’s a look that will stand the test of time.

Other more unique balustrade materials include corrugated iron, steel and a combination of several. Importantly, if you are thinking of updating your existing balcony and railing be sure to check with local council for any permit requirements.

Open plan living is in vogue at the moment – but how do you turn a big open space into a cosy interior that’s easy to live in and doesn’t feel like a warehouse?  It’s all about zoning and creating intimate areas without walls.

The best place to start is from the ground up.  Use rugs to define your space and then use furniture to help partition spaces.

Display cabinets, such as the Sovita Curio or Forma, are perfect for this – adding sparkle and zing and the opportunity to showcase your treasures.

Turn your lounge seating in on itself to create a healthy conversation area.  In this way the back of your lounges and chairs help to create the living space.

Mix different styles of furniture to give the zones more personality.  Think a classic contemporary lounge in your  ‘living zone’ combined with a wooden farmhouse table in your ‘dining zone’.

The general rule of thumb with big areas is that you need big furniture, big artworks and big patterns which will help to counter the proportions of the room.

Tuck study spaces out of sight and away from the lounge area with either partitions or plants.  No thinking about work when you are relaxing (and no need to be constantly tidying your messy work area either).

The final trick is to arrange the furniture in such a way as to allow you to meander through the space rather than being able to take a straight path from the front door to the back door.

Avoid meaningless dead zones and make use of all your space by adding plants, lamps and chairs.

Story Source: Nick Scali Reviews

Australia’s housing sector has called on the reserve bank to deliver a 50 basis point interest rate cut after a survey showed new home sales have fallen to their lowest level in more than a decade.

The Housing Industry Association (HIA), which represents the residential building industry, says new home sales dropped 9.4 per cent, seasonally adjusted, in March 2012, their lowest level in more than 10 years.

Multi-unit sales slumped 6.4 per cent over the same period.

HIA chief economist Harley Dale called on the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to deliver a 50 basis point interest rate cut at its board meeting on Tuesday.

An AAP survey of 16 economists on Friday showed all expected the RBA to cut the cash rate 25 basis points, to 4.00 per cent, this week.

However, Mr Dale said a larger cut was needed to revive the housing sector.

"The bank needs to send a clear signal that it is back on the case of assisting an economy that is clearly weaker than it anticipated in 2012," said Harley Dale.

"It is not too late to turn the situation around and prevent new housing from revisiting a GFC (global financial crisis) low.

"Interest rate cuts, while no panacea, can provide substantial assistance in restoring confidence and activity."

The survey of Australia’s 100 largest builders found Queensland suffered the biggest decline with new home sales down 15.3 per cent, followed by Western Australia, down 12 per cent, and New South Wales, down 9.7 per cent.

Story source: http://finance.ninemsn.com.au

Many of us could spend hours (possibly weeks) pouring over pictures of hip homes in interiors magazines, and dreaming … If you’ve ever pondered the secrets of these pads’ photogenic success and wanted to emulate them, here are a couple of general tips:

Story time: Most photoshoots capture pictorial vignettes – the sofa, the casually draped throw, the lovely fluffy cushions, the pile of artistically arranged books … It’s not just about the furniture; it’s about what these items say and the story they tell about you and your home.

Go into detail:  A photographer’s nightmare is a room with no possessions on show. Editors love details – knick-knacks make a home a home.  We’re not thinking for a minute that you cover every space with your old telephone bills and children’s drawings – think knick-knacks, photos of loved ones and think about putting some of your children’s special pics in a frame – and put the bills and clutter out of sight!

Set great store: Good storage is vital – but it doesn’t need to be an expensive built-in: photographically that’s dull. Try a trendy glass cabinet, such as the eye-catching, Forma.

All the little things:  Bold doesn’t have to equal expensive. If you’re nervous, build on a neutral base – beige or brown lounge – then take risks with accessories: zingy cushions or throws, or a ceramic jar – much cheaper than getting the wrong lounge.

Screened off: Something you’ll never see in an interiors mag is the TV! They’re so huge now – and not pretty. Hide giants in a cupboard – and never hang one over a fireplace.

Personal appearance: Forget having the ‘right’ or fashionable thing. The best style is surrounding yourself with things that you love.

To create that beautifully designed magazine look, be sure to follow these tips.

Source: Nick Scali Reviews

Before explaining what a carbon credit is, we should first explain what carbon offsetting is.

Put simply, carbon offsetting is a way for people and businesses to invest in projects that prevent or reduce greenhouse gas emissions from being released into the atmosphere.

A carbon credit is a formal recognition that one tonne of carbon dioxide has been either removed from the atmosphere or prevented from being released into the atmosphere.

One carbon credit equals one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Carbon credits are created by activities such as planting forests; reducing deforestation, generating electricity through wonderful wind turbines and solar panels; cutting back on methane released from landfills; and putting in place energy efficiency measures.

Yonderr only sells carbon credits generated from projects that are accredited under the Verified Carbon Standard or the NSW Greenhouse Gas Reduction Scheme.

But I’ve looked at other carbon offsetting companies’ websites and they charge a different price to Yonderr, we hear you ask.

Surely a tonne’s a tonne, right?

Well, not always in terms of cost. A tonne of carbon can really vary in price. There are two main reasons for this.

Firstly, the cost of producing the offset. And secondly the technique used to work out how much greenhouse gas was produced in a specific activity.

Projects that are more complex, use expensive or rare technologies, need high investment capital or run in places with high operating costs, have higher priced offsets.  Makes sense really.

Some certification standards need a lot of administration and scientific work.

This also increases the cost of the offset. There are all sorts of things like demand and availability which can affect the cost, too.

Because Yonderr is backed by big brother CO2 Australia (who’s the leading carbon services company in Australasia) we can buy lots of credits in bulk, which also helps keep costs down.

Yonderr carbon credits are $12 each.

The credit is validated, so you’ve got nothing to worry about. Everything you do to offset your carbon footprint is one step in the right direction to making our environment more sustainable.

To find out more information visit www.yonderr.com.au

CRISIS CARE CLUB UPDATE

JANUARY 2011 ISSUE NO. 4

A special Thank You to all wonderful humanitarians who support our Crisis Care Club.

This is the first update of 2012 and we have already been dealing with many crises. Without the awareness from kind people like you, we simply could not be of assistance to vulnerable people. The support throughout 2011 for Crisis Care has been an inspiration to all of the dedicated staff and volunteers. Of course, those most grateful are the impoverished people of the villages that we are able to offer aid and, most importantly, hope.

To read more and download the newsletter, please click here!!

Knowing your limits and the market will help to expand your property portfolio.

Why do some people struggle to buy one investment property and yet others manage to own five or six? The answer isn’t simply that they have more money.

Investors who are creative in their approach to financing and who thoroughly research the important real estate indicators routinely achieve their goals faster and with less hassle.

There are several well-known ways to increase a property portfolio. You can take out an interest-only loan, buy with partners as ”tenants in common” or tap into your home equity.

Owning an investment property is not out of reach, it simply requires an astute approach. Photo: AFR

All of which help free up cash flow, enabling you to make more substantial contributions to a principal place of residence or to access cash flow for other investments. Coupled with buying investment properties in the right place at the right time, these tactics have reaped financial rewards for many people.

But savvy investors take their strategies to the next level. Let’s look at some of the less-traditional approaches to more profitable property investing.

Varying your income tax

If you’re negatively geared, a good way to improve immediate cash flow is to ask your accountant to submit an income tax variation form to your payroll office.

This reduces the tax rate charged on your wages by estimating your total end-of-financial-year tax position in advance. Rather than receiving a lump sum tax refund, you receive money evenly throughout the year.

Line of credit with a global limit

This is a line of credit home loan with a ”global” or ”umbrella” limit and several sub-accounts. It gives you maximum access to your equity to optimise your investment opportunities. The loan can be operated with multiple accounts under one global limit.

Mortgage Choice spokeswoman Belinda Williamson says line of credit accounts can be attached to a credit card. ”If you earn a decent income, using a credit card for expenses should mean that most of your income stays in the loan until the credit card payment is due, which helps to reduce the loan balance.”

Targeting distressed vendors

Successful investors don’t appraise the properties on the market in an area, they try to work out why they are for sale. Paul Osborne, of the buyer’s advocate firm Secret Agent, says it’s a smart move to understand household indebtedness in specific areas to snare a bargain.

He says many households are managing to service only the interest repayments, not the principal amount, of their home loans. As a consequence, the best buying opportunities tend to be in suburbs that have high proportions of household debt.

A secondary dwelling as an investment

Building second dwellings, such as granny flats, on the land held by either an owner-occupied or an investment property has become a growing trend. These dwellings can generate extra rental income and increase the property’s future value.

They also provide depreciation benefits and must be council-approved. Lending criteria for secondary dwellings varies from lender to lender and it’s smart to monitor how such additions in an area have shifted property values.

Choose a loan tailored to your needs

Depending on your finances, lifestyle and investment portfolio, there are a range of property loans to consider. Ms Williamson recommends checking the health of your home loan at least once a year.

”You should make sure that your loans not only meet your current needs but also take your future needs into consideration,” she says. ”Make sure that you are managing your loan, rather than letting it manage you.” Always be aware that new products are entering the competitive housing finance market constantly.

Story source: www.domain.com.au Story by Chris Tolhurst

With about 40 per cent of food wasted in Australia, we wondered what would happen to that number if we were forced to pay for every piece of food we threw away?  In South Korea, throwing away food means paying more for waste collection, and more waste means more carbon emissions.

South Korea has had a pay-as-you-go system for years, and will soon implement an aggressive disposal management system that will charge businesses and residents for the exact amount of food waste they throw away.

There are lots of reasons why 40 per cent of food is wasted in Australia. Some of the reasons are: large portion sizes at restaurants, regulations that make it difficult for retailers to donate fresh food to charities, and confusing “sell by” or “best before” dates that lead to too much food going from shelf to garbage bin. This issue is similar in the US and the UK where the food waste is also 40 per cent.

Korea’s rate of overall food waste is comparable to Australia. For fans of Korean food, the joys of such a meal are also what contribute to the country’s excessive disposal of food. All those tiny side dishes (pan-chan) from kim chee to glass noodles to fresh greens – not to mention the leftovers from a large restaurant meal of meat dishes like galbi and bulgogi – add to the headaches Korea experiences with waste management.

Overall, Korea has an efficient waste diversion system. Residents and businesses must buy specially labelled garbage bags that are available for purchase everywhere. The less you throw away, the less you spend. Nevertheless, food waste has increased dramatically in Korea as the country has experienced a long economic boom, and therefore the government is taking much stronger measures.

During 2012, the 50 million Koreans will create up to 170,000 tons of food waste daily, or about 350 grams (over 12 ounces) per person per day. The costs are high: The Korean government has estimated that the annual loss of economic value exceeds $1.5 billion. The annual disposal cost for food waste alone in Korea is more than $600 million a year and rising.

For years, food waste was treated at sewage plants, which then discharged the resulting grey water out into the sea. And that grey water is not in the country’s long term interests for a country and cuisine that boasts plentiful seafood and seaweed – not to mention the coastline surrounding the country. So, a huge shift is in order beginning in 2013.

Public service announcements have long exhorted Koreans to be more conscious about recycling and waste diversion, but in a country with little landfill space, the Korean government has decided to take more drastic measures. And with the old ways of treating waste disappearing a little over a year from now, Korea’s education ministry is tasked to push for a minimum 20 per cent reduction in food waste. Technology will have a strong role.

SK Telecom, Korea’s largest wireless carrier, has designed food waste bins with equipment that will weigh food waste to the nearest gram. Using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, the bins will then calculate the disposal fee based on the exact weight, which will then be debited from the user’s public transportation card or will be processed for payment on a linked credit card.

The process is relatively simple. The user taps the bin’s card reader with his or her assigned card. The disposal lid opens immediately, and allows the user to toss in the table scraps from last night’s dinner. The cover closes, weighs the food waste, and informs the user immediately of the total weight and subsequent fee. The responsibility for collection, transport and treatment of food waste then falls on the company contracted to empty
those bins.

This next step in food waste is remarkable considering how strongly Koreans have embraced recycling. Koreans have to buy four different types of garbage bags depending on the waste they buy and neighbours will rat out neighbours if anyone is straying from following the rules. Stacks of cardboard on street corners eagerly wait pickup every morning, and reminders in Korean that say “Don’t waste wastes!” are emblazoned on garbage bins.

Source: www.earth911.com

Story by Judith Bence, source: www.yonderr.com.au

It’s one of the quickest ways to give a home a facelift, but painting like the pros requires patience, attention to detail, a steady hand and yes, tedious preparation.

It’s a messy business, with lots of bending, twisting and negotiating ladders, and inevitable dithering over the crucial colour scheme.

Decide up front who lands the back-breaking tasks of heavy sanding and painting the ceilings.

Painting is not just about getting the paint onto surfaces successfully. There’s an awful lot of work involved in not getting paint where it shouldn’t be.

To start

Start your painting project with some measurements. You will need to know how many square meters you will be painting.

Asses the surface you want to paint, is it fresh plaster or cement, is it old flakey paint or wall paper, is it a relatively new finish?

Tools of the trade. A wall scraper and painter’s tape

How dark is the current colour compared to the new colour you’ve chosen? If the old paint is very dark and your new paint is light, you may need an undercoat or have to apply more coats of paint.

What’s the quality of the surface? Is it a nice smooth surface or is it a bit rough?

If you can’t decide on a colour scheme, get some sample pots and experiment.

Surface prep is time consuming but will give the end result a more professional look.

Remember, colours can look quite different in different lighting conditions, don’t just rely on looking at the paper samples in the shop.

Paint comes in a number of finishes from matt to gloss and are either acrylic or enamel or oil-based.

Flat paint hides flaws in old walls. A semi- or high-gloss paint works best on woodwork, such as door and window frames, and skirtings. Low-sheen is the most popular finish for walls.

Careful cutting in gives a much better finish.

Wear and tear is another point to consider. For example, high traffic areas or walls subjected to small sticky fingers will call for a tough, easy maintenance finish.

Most surfaces require two coats of paint, and if you’re painting over a dark colour or a new wall, you’ll probably need an undercoat.

That said, many paint companies now offer "one coat wonders", so it’s worth having a good browse of the paint shelves.

Fantasy land: you will not look this cute or happy when you’re painting. Wear old clothes or overalls and cover your hair. Gloves are a good idea too.

Preparation

You might be a wiz with a paint brush and roller, but all your efforts will be in vain if you haven’t meticulously prepared the surfaces.

Cover the floor
Be generous with the drop sheets, taping them to the walls so they don’t slide around. Make sure the drop sheets are tough enough to resist tearing if you’re going to be moving a ladder around.

Good lighting is essential to ensure even coats of paint.

Light and ventilation
Make sure you’ve got good even lighting where you’re working so you see what you’re doing clearly. Wall surfaces and paint colours will look different in different lighting conditions, especially if it’s daylight coming from a single window.

Use a good bright portable light for best results. And check what you’re doing from different angles in the room.

Whenever using chemicals and stirring up dust make sure you have plenty of fresh air.

Move the ladder, don’t risk a fall or back strain by reaching too far.

Surfaces
Older walls will need any loose paint scraped off. Holes and cracks need scraped out to remove loose material and then patched with a suitable filler.

Blade scrapers are great for tidying up old paint jobs that left paint on window glass.

Be very careful painting over old paints, some of them are oil-based and cannot be painted over directly.

Not all fun and games: Don’t be fooled by DIY shows on TV, painting is hard work … hijinks with a paint roller in the an episode of The Block.

Water-based paint will stick to oil-based paints but only if the surface is prepared correctly. Get some professional advice on this one.

Filling and sanding
The rougher the overall wall surface is to begin with, the more your nice neat filled spots will stand out as shiny patches. Roughen up your patching a little if you want it to blend in.

Old, chipped woodwork will look exactly that if you don’t give it a really rigorous sand, starting with coarse sandpaper and finishing with a fine grade.

Use a smaller bucket to carry with you as you paint.

Give the walls a good sand over rough or shiny surfaces too and a quick sand over all the rest.

Vacuum up all the dust and lose bits of paint and plaster once you have finished preparing the surfaces.

Follow this by washing with sugar soap.

Painter’s tape
Use masking tape to protect surfaces such as light switches and skirting boards. In fact if you aren’t 100% confident of having a very steady hand… tape up the edges of everything you don’t want paint on.

A quick wipe with a rag will remove some stray brushstrokes on glass or other shiny surfaces, but it’s much easier to remove painters tape than unwanted paint, wet or dry.

This sounds like a lot of fiddling – and it is – but you just won’t get really good results without it.

Painting

Tools
Before you take the lid off the paint can, make sure you are ready to go with all your tools and equipment.

There’s nothing worse than starting to paint only to find you need to make another trip to the hardware shop or garage.

The type of surface you’re painting and the type of paint on will determine they types of brushes and rollers you will need. Always buy the best brushes and rollers you can afford, they will make the paint job look more professional.

Buying cheap rollers might seem like a good idea but not when you’re left with fuzz in your fresh paint or extra work because the roller won’t hold enough paint.

Don’t put too much paint in a roller or brush. You want the paint applied evenly but not too thick on the walls. Use a nice firm pressure when using a roller.

Step one – edges
Start painting by cutting in around all the edges with a brush or a paint edger

Make sure your cutting in doesn’t dry before you start filling in with the roller.

Using a small container for your paint as you walk around the room is easier than moving a heavy tin of paint with you and is less dangerous to carry up a ladder.

Step two – walls
then use a roller to apply the paint in long, even zig-zag sweeps, finishing in parallel strokes that even out any overlapping paint edges.

Rollers will make painting walls much faster and give a far better finish than brushes.

You don’t want it dripping down the wall or on the floor and certainly not flying off the ends of the roller in globs.

Cutting in around light fittings and wall fixtures at the same time as you roll will help to avoid a patchy finish if you have a large area and won’t start using the roller before the edges dry.

Using a straight edge tool will help keep paint off adjacent areas if you haven’t taped them up. This tool is especially useful for painting right down to the bottom of walls in carpeted rooms.

The paint is for the wall not for the tool, just put paint on the wall side of the brush. Wipe the straight edge frequently to make sure it’s paint-free against the surface you are protecting.

Extension poles are a must if you’re painting high ceilings, it will be faster and much kinder on your back and neck, not to mention reducing the dangers of trips up and down a ladder.

Use roller tray liners for easier clean up and less waste.

Drop sheets are essential but they don’t save floors from paint you walk from the room you’re painting to another.

Try to clean up spills on your drop sheet as they happen, but always check your shoes or take them off before you step off the drop sheet onto unprotected surfaces.

Wrap brushes and rollers in plastic to prevent drying out or needing to wash if you’re taking a break or continuing the following day.

Do…

• Thoroughly stir the paint before starting
• Always work your way down, starting with the ceilings first
• Choose the best quality paint brushes and paint you can afford
• Paint in manageable patches to ensure you’re not going back over paint that’s started to dry already.
• Tie up/cover your hair unless you want paint speckles that don’t wash out once dried.

Don’t…

• Use a cheap masking tape. Buy proper painter’s masking tape that won’t remove the paint or chunks of plaster when you pull it off
• Overload your roller or brushes with paint
• Stir paint with a brush
• Try to paint over crumbly surfaces you will just get ugly lumps in your paint

Safety tips

• Always wear a dust mask or respirator when sanding or using products with fumes warnings
• Ensure rooms are well ventilated
• Use a fan to assist with ventilation
• Check your ladder is rock-steady before you step on it
• If your building is old, allow for the possibility of toxic lead paint. Further information can be obtained from the Environment Protection Agency on 1800 803 772
• Reduce trips up and down ladders by using smaller paint pots when painting with a brush, use and extension handle with a roller and avoid the ladder completely.

Story Source: www.domain.com.au

When it comes to planning for retirement, paying off a mortgage should be the cornerstone of security.

Question

I am a 49-year-old single female earning $61,317 a year. I pay a compulsory members contribution of 2 per cent to the Public Servants Superannuation Fund.

I have $96,000 in super and another $11,000 in a rollover fund. I have a $232,000 mortgage on a house in the outer suburbs of Melbourne with repayments of $910 a fortnight.

My preservation age is 58 and my Centrelink age pension age is 67. I was hoping to retire well before 67 as I am barely capable of working full time now.

I realise my super balance is inadequate to enable early retirement. In one year I will attain 10 years service and my employer will match my personal super contributions up to 10 per cent.

I receive $911 a fortnight net wages after mortgage, tax and super deductions, so I struggle financially.

If I increase my super contributions it will create even more hardship.

Should I increase my mortgage repayments instead of increasing the super, or a combination of both?

Should I get income-protection insurance and trauma insurance (reducing my net income further), to avoid calamity if I were to get sick? S.M.

Answer

Yes, you can’t go past the offer to match contributions up to 10 per cent and you need to take this up to the full.

However, you also have to put priority on being able to retire in a mortgage-free home and thus avoid a drain on your retirement income. At least you can then rely on the full-age pension to meet your daily needs.

At your current rate of repayment, it will take you some 17 years to pay off your mortgage, assuming an interest rate of 7.3 per cent. Alternatively, you could pay off a loan of about $155,000 over nine years or $130,000 over seven years.

You need to decide whether you can afford this property or whether you are better off relocating to a smaller unit. Or wait until retirement to sell and then buy what you can then afford without a mortgage, but you’ll pay bigger repayments into a bigger mortgage until then.

For now, open a mortgage offset and use it as your main deposit account so that, by using a 55-day credit card, you can keep as much money in there for as long as possible. It’s the most tax-efficient way to handle your money.

Some people suggest salary sacrificing to the maximum and thus getting a tax deduction, then withdrawing a lump sum at retirement and paying off the mortgage.

This may suit those in high tax brackets, depending on whether their super investments make or lose money, but you are already struggling and will be struggling more.

Rollover the benefit from your rollover fund into, say, the AGEST super fund and buy salary continuance insurance through super so as not to reduce the amount you can put into your mortgage offset account.

That, plus your sick pay entitlements will, hopefully, insure against any trauma.

If you have a question for George Cochrane, send it to
Personal Investment
PO Box 3001
Tamarama, NSW, 2026

Helplines

Banking Ombudsman, 1300 780 808
pensions, 13 23 00

Story source: www.domain.com.au, story by George Cochrane

Recycling your old electronics can be daunting and people often come up with convenient excuses to just throw out old equipment or leave them lying on the side of the road without any regard to the environmental impact and the impact on carbon emissions.

Firstly, you can simply recycle your e-waste. Gather up all your old electronics and take them somewhere to be recycled. Avoid council dumpsites and consider calling a business that specialises in e-waste recycling.

Secondly, give some serious thought to donating any old electronics you no longer use but are still usable and in good nick. You would be surprised by the amount of organisations that accept second-hand computers or equipment and find homes for these computers and electronics that allow communities’ to thrive and learn from what you no longer need. This is the type of recycling that benefits the environment and your community!

You may even find individuals who just love gizmos and gadgets to pull apart and experiment with, so don’t hold back with choosing what old electronics you want to give away.

Thirdly, if you’re motivated by monetary as well as environmental rewards, consider reselling your old computer gear. Before I go any further into this I’m going to point out that trying to sell equipment that isn’t up to scratch can be hard, plus if anything’s faulty you just cause yourself more hassle in  the long run.

That being said, good places to start your search for potential customers are eBay and other organisations that allow you to resell your old equipment. You’ll find there are businesses interested in purchasing your old laptop or pc gear as well, which tends to be a fast and simple exchange that’s convenient for both parties.

Also, consider holding onto your pc and electronics for a little while longer if you’re only considering disposing of them for the latest shiny new tech. You may find later on that you’re perfectly happy with what you’ve got for the time being and that you saved yourself some serious cash by not upgrading to the next model.

Finally, ask your friends and family if anyone is interested in scrounging through your box of wires and keyboards for anything they may want. This can be a great way to get some more use out of things that could have been otherwise wasted. Posting on Facebook for any interested individuals is a great place to look, or just send out a mass-text (whatever feels right).

Remember that computers and electronics are some of the more harmful products out there that damage our environment. So give some of these ideas some thought next time you’re upgrading your electronic gadget and think about reducing your carbon footprint and helping to save the planet.

Source: http://intandem.ca/blog/5-ways-to-dispose-of-your-electronics-responsibly

Story source and to find out more information, please visit www.yonderr.com.au

A Newspoll survey conducted late last year showed many Australians plan to keep rising energy prices in check by closing curtains, washing clothes in cold water and taking shorter showers – but how much does any of that actually affect the average power bill? Apparently, quite a bit.

By matching the five most popular energy-saving strategies with some ballpark dollar savings based on the National Australian-Built Environment Rating System (NABERS), it was found the average three-person household can save hundreds of dollars a year.

Put simply – simple changes can lead to big savings on your power bill.

Of course, all of this varies depending on which state you live in, how you use power, and exactly how you implement each strategy in your home. But whichever way you look at it, there are plenty of opportunities to reduce your utility bill with just a few behavioural changes.

1. Closing curtains/blinds: $55 p.a.

Windows are a home’s biggest sources of heat in summer (and cold in winter) so the 89 per cent of Newspoll respondents who plan to close blinds and curtains can expect to save around $55 this year according to the NSW Government’s Save Power website.

Effective window insulation includes:

- Shading windows and skylights during the day as much as possible

- Lined curtains and close-fitting Holland and/or Roman blinds instead of vertical blinds, conventional or timber Venetians

- External blinds or awnings on north, east and west windows

- Keeping doors and windows closed during the day as much as possible

- When the temperature drops at night, opening doors and windows up.

With window glazing, you can save even more. If the cost of double-glazing looks a bit steep, consider secondary glazing (fitting a membrane to the window) instead.

Of course, it helps if you’ve got effective house insulation. Energy retailer AGL estimates efficient insulation can bring the temperature down by up to 7 degrees in summer, and increase it by 10 degrees in winter, slicing more than $100 off your power bill every year.

2. Washing clothes in cold water, drying on line/rack: $380 p.a.

AGL says that cold water has been ‘scientifically proven’ to be just as effective as hot water when it comes to washing clothes, and Save Power calculates the cost saving at $30 or more per year.

You can save another $30 per year if your machine is a front-loader with a 5-star energy rating.

But the real savings kick in when you cut back on clothes dryers. These energy thieves can use more power over the course of a year than a reasonably energy-efficient fridge, and cutting them out can save a whopping $350. Dry outside or on a rack instead – apart from being budget-friendly, it’s a whole lot kinder to your clothes too.

If you do need to use the dryer, AGL recommends setting it to warm rather than hot – it takes a little longer but uses less energy.

Bear in mind the cold water rule doesn’t apply to dishwashers – hot water is more efficient when it comes to dishes.

3. Being quick in and out of the fridge: $25 p.a.

Running your fridge efficiently can save about $25 per year. That means making sure it’s set to the right temperature (fridge at 4°C, freezer at -18°C), has decent sealing and is kept closed as much as possible.

Fridges use more power when they’re empty than when they’re full so if you’ve got a second fridge, turn it off and leave the door ajar when you don’t need it. Giving it a rest for six months of the year could take another $130 off your bill.

And if it’s time to upgrade, you’ll find an energy-efficient model pays itself off before long by reducing power bills by about $145 per year.

4. Taking shorter showers: $105 p.a.

Shaving three minutes off shower times can save a three-person household about $105 a year – or much more if your house is still running an electric water heater.

“Electric water heaters account for around 25 per cent of a household’s energy use,” says Stephen Cranch from Solahart, an Australian solar water heater manufacturer.

“Switching to a solar water heater will reduce water heating energy consumption by 50-90 per cent,” he says – he says, and according to Save Power, reduce your annual power bill by about $150.

Plus, the Federal Government is planning to phase out electric water heaters from 2012, so rebates are also available for households needing to upgrade.

5. Switching appliances off at the power socket: $125 p.a.

It’s estimated that standby power contributes about 10 per cent of every power bill, so switching things off at the wall can save $125 or more a year.

And it’s not just computers and appliances. Even chargers use power when they’re not connected to our phones, iPads, razors and toothbrushes, and the digital clock on our microwaves can cost more to run than the cooking function itself.

But awareness goes a long way. All up, you can reduce your bills by close to $700 without sacrificing comfort or refitting your home.

Source: www.smh.com.au, www.yonderr.com.au

The preliminary capital city dwelling value index result for December was -0.2% (s.a.) following an upwardly revised +0.4% rise in dwelling values in November (was +0.1%). Revised regional house values for November increased from +0.3% to +0.5%. Sydney housing has been the nation’s best performer with dwelling values up 0.4% in December and by 0.7% over the quarter (s.a.).

In the generally seasonally weak month of December, the preliminary RP Data-Rismark Home Value Index result for capital city dwelling values was -0.2 per cent (s.a.). Low sales volumes in December mean that this number will likely see a more significant revision than normal.

The November result from the RP Data-Rismark index for dwellings in capital cities has revised up from +0.1 per cent (s.a.) to +0.4 per cent (s.a.) based on additional sales information. This marks the largest month-on-month improvement in Australian home values since May 2010.

The RP Data-Rismark ‘rest-of-state’ index, which covers Australia’s regional markets, has also revised up in November from +0.3 per cent to +0.5 per cent (s.a.). This is the most significant increase in regional house values since November 2010.

Over the December quarter, Australia’s capital city home values declined by -0.5 per cent (s.a.).

RP Data’s director of research Tim Lawless, said, “The December quarter was the year’s smallest quarterly decline. According to our index, capital city home values fell by -1.5 per cent (s.a.) in the March quarter, and by a further -0.8 per cent (s.a.) in each of the June and September quarters. This rate of decline had decelerated to -0.5% by the final quarter of 2011.”

In 2011, Australian capital city dwelling values experienced a capital loss of about three and a half per cent. Regional house values fared a little better, correcting by around three per cent. This compared to the 14-15 per cent decline in Australian shares. Adding in rents, the gross total return to Australian property investors was slightly less than one per cent over 2011.

Rismark’s managing director Ben Skilbeck said, “The month of December is characterised by a significant lull in activity and the preliminary index results have likely been influenced by some more volatile Melbourne and Perth estimates. We expect to get better clarity on the monthly movements as more information is reported.”

“Sydney currently has the largest volume of reported sales in December. In seasonally-adjusted terms, Sydney dwelling values rose by 0.4 per cent in the month of December. In the December quarter, Sydney dwelling values are up a total of 0.7 per cent (s.a.)” Mr Skilbeck said.

RP Data’s Tim Lawless observed that rental markets continued to strengthen in December.

“Weekly rents across the capital cities were up 1.0 per cent over the December quarter and are now 6.3 per cent higher than at the same time last year.”

“These higher rental rates combined with the slide in property values have improved investors’ yields. The average capital city dwelling is now offering a gross rental return of 4.6 per cent after a consistent trend upwards since mid-2010 when the typical capital city dwelling was yielding just 4.1 per cent. Darwin and Canberra are the highest yielding locations for property investors while Hobart, Brisbane, and Sydney provide gross yields that are better than average,” Mr Lawless said.

On the outlook for the year ahead, Rismark’s Ben Skilbeck commented, “We expect that the RBA’s interest rate cuts in the final two months of 2011 will lend further momentum to housing activity as transaction volumes pick up over February and March after the seasonally slow months of December and January. If financial market pricing for substantial additional RBA rate cuts proves accurate, we could see a stronger-than-expected bounce-back in housing conditions.”

“Housing affordability in Australia has experienced a striking improvement in recent times. While disposable household incomes on a per household basis rose by five per cent over the year to September 2011, Australian dwelling values have declined by 3.4 per cent since September 2010. As a result of the RBA’s rate cuts borrowers can now get fixed- and variable-rate home loans as low as 5.9 per cent and 6.14 per cent. Rismark’s research shows that disposable incomes per household have risen about 15 per cent further than Australian dwelling values since the end of 2003. This helps account for the decline in Rismark’s national dwelling price-to-income ratio, which is as low as its been since 2003” Mr Skilbeck said.

RP Data’s Tim Lawless added, “While global uncertainty and a stagnant local labour market could weigh on the consumer’s mindset, we are nevertheless observing improvements in monthly housing finance commitments. RP Data’s leading indicators on average selling times and vendor discounts are also starting to look healthier. There is no doubt that additional interest rate relief in 2012 would afford a very welcome cushion to the housing market.”