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Old House? New House? Weighing Your Options

Maybe it has something to do with a childhood home we fondly remember. Many of us long for old homes built with solid construction, quality craftsmanship and beautiful details. We wax poetic and wistfully recall the hand carvings, plaster walls and eyebrow dormers of homes weve known. On the other hand, how do the old homes we admire compare with newly minted modelsand what should we consider before deciding which to buy?

Location. Typically, old homes sit on generous plots of land in or near town. The neighborhoods are established and usually more central to schools and shopping. Mature trees and plantings provide shade and beautify the property and neighborhood streets. New homes are generally found in new developments outside of town and homeowners who buy into an early can expect to contend with dust and construction sights and sounds as the remaining phases are being built. Landscaping may be skimpy or nonexistent, but a buyer has the opportunity to design the dcor from scratch.

Layout. New homes tend to have a more spacious functional layout with higher ceilings, bigger windows, family kitchens, walk-in closets, and family rooms. Some even have media rooms and come pre-wired for cable and computers. On the other hand, older homes were designed for a more formal lifestyle, which is reflected in the formal dining and living areas and many cozy rooms, including small bedrooms, closets and bathrooms.

Energy efficiency. Those eight-over-eight single pane wood windows add character to an old home, but even with storm windows, theyre not nearly as energy efficient as modern dual-glazed or thermal windows. While most old homes lacked insulation in outside walls and attics, homes built today insulate against high heating and cooling costs. Although the bigger windows, higher ceilings and larger rooms, common in new homes, can also cause high utility bills.

Maintenance. With older homes, upkeep could be more expensive because of older appliances, plumbing and electrical systemsnot to mention the roofmay need to be replaced. A turn of the century home may have outdated knob-and-tube wiring, and even a recently built home may have an inadequate fuse box-style panel that falls short of the energy demands of 21st century families. But new homes generally come with warranties that will cover the cost for most major problems.

Price. Older homes are usually less expensive per square foot. In addition the tax structure is more predictable because the neighborhood is already established with amenities that newer neighborhoods are still in the process of gaining, such as schools, police and fire services, and infrastructures (roads, sidewalks, etc.). However, with restoration costs a possibility for older homes, your dollars may very well be spent on the back-end rather than upfront.

If the charm and beauty of an old home wins your heart, hire an inspector to evaluate the home for lead paint, insect and water damage, lead and/or galvanized pipes, outdated wiring, foundation problems and energy efficiency, including windows as well as heating/cooling systems and insulation. After you get the all-clear, you have one last consideration: Does the home fit your lifestyle or would the conveniences of a newer model suit you better? Only you and your family have the answer.

posted by aasdas38493 @ 10:23 PM 0 comments

Fishing Secrets: Florida Canals

Fishing Secret #1

Fishing the Florida canals are absolutely gold mines within a couple mile radius of where you live.Most canals are over looked for the more popular lakes. Or they arent accessible or private. I have found that these very canals deserve a second look. Ive caught all my big bass in these local overlooked canals. Most people end up spending half the day getting to the place, fighting the traffic or compete for a fishing spot since everyone else is there. You also spend a bunch more money for this mini vacation, fish all day and maybe catch nothing!

The easiest method of accessing these canals is to simply walk to them. Carry your fishing pole and a few choice lures. Keep it simple. Work your banks, find the hidden spots. Remember there has been hardly any fishing pressure so expect to see action. Walk slow tossing your bait and be ready.

A real fun time and easy to put together is using a canoe. Just toss it on the vehicle and away you go.Canoes are great. They are quiet in the water and allowed to be in all bodies of water. Some canals and lakes are non-motor use due to aquifer drinking water rules. Canoes are light and easy to move around. They allow you to bring more equipment and paddle to remote parts of the waterway.

Of course if you have a motor boat and some canals have boat ramps. You can enjoy both longer drives to untouched fishing paradise and expect a fine fishing day.

Canals that run along the interstates and turnpikes are phenomenal places to explore. Drive into neighbor hoods with canals. Locate the hidden treasures of pristine fishing secrets. If canals have lakes attached to them be ready for an explosive fishing secret experience. These combo lake and canal places are excellent because fish love where the water flows and bait fish hanging around these places. Golf courses are real fishing secrets. Be respectful when walking on the greens reaching these lakes. Not all golf courses have picky security out there. I have fished while people are playing. Just be quiet and respectful. Let them go first and have fun fishing.

I like to have at least two fishing poles, handful of favorite lures. I set up one with a top water lure and the other with a plastic worm. Working the banks and points slowly will produce bites. Remember to always release your catch.

Catch and Release is the practice of releasing your catch back to the water. This is a MUST if we want to experience the joys of fishing. By releasing the fish back to the waters we assure our future days and our grandchildrens grandchildren the same opportunity to experience this for themselves.

Its a real gold mine within arms reach. Take the time to explore your local canals. These canals wont let you down.

Happy Fishing Days!!

By: Edward G. @ www.thankyoudollar.org click fishing tab.

posted by aasdas38493 @ 7:00 PM 0 comments

Family Movie - Find The Right DVD Movie Club For Your Family

Looking for a good online family movie club or family movie review?

Family movies sell lots of tickets at the box office and every year there are one or more blockbuster movies that are family films.

But with the high price of movie tickets and theatre concessions, watching movies on DVD as a family movie night in the comfort of your own home, is quickly becoming very popular.

Online DVD Movie Clubs

Online there are a number of DVD movie clubs that include family movies in their rental libraries, but only a few actually specialize in providing quality family fare.

While other companies produce some family pictures, none has come close to the huge library of movies that Disney has given us.

Walt Disney brought us Steamboat Willie in 1928 starring Mickey Mouse and in 1973, the Disney Studios gave us Snow White, the first feature length animated movie.

Disney Movie Club

Online the Disney Movie Club offers their signature classic movies, recent releases, preschool videos, sing-a-long video and other popular family choices.

Movie Clubs

Other online family movie clubs include Family Pass (formerly known as Mentura) which bills itself as "your ticket to family entertainment." Family Pass carries a wide selection of movies, television programs, educational and home school videos and spiritual fare. All targeted at a family audience.

Edited Movies

Another popular source of movies suitable for family viewing comes from companies that specialize in editing movies to remove profanity, excessive violence and more adult situations.

Club members can rent the edited, version of popular movies that might otherwise be far less than family friendly.

Online clubs that edit movies include CleanFilms, Flick's Club, Family Edited DVDs and CleanFlix to name a few.

DVD Software Filters

A company called ClearPlay offers DVD software that removes graphic violence, profanity and more adult situations. Movie filters are put together for specific movies and ClearPlay's list continues to grow.

Family Movie Reviews

Online is also a great place to discover family movie review sites that help parents when it comes to deciding which movies to see in theatres or on DVD.

The Dove Foundation, long a family movie advocate, provides online movie and video reviews. And if you're out shopping for movies or videos at your favorite store, you can look for the Dove Foundation's Seal of Approval (much like the "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval"). The Dove Foundation's seal is only awarded to movies and videos that meet certain family viewing standards and have been screened and reviewed by Dove Foundation reviewers.

Other movie reviews available online include The Family Style Movie Guide, Movie Mom, Screen It!, Family Cow, Grading the Movies, Kids-In-Mind, and Ted Baehr's MovieGuide which examines and rates movies from a Christian value stand point.

Family Movie Night

Watching movies at home on DVD as a special night for the entire family has become very popular.

Why spend a small fortune taking your family to see a movie at a theatre when you can have quality fun time in your own home? With a special movie night you control the films your family sees. No more unpleasant surprises! And you're guaranteed the best seat in the house.

DVD Movie Club

It's easy to join an online movie club that offers movies for the family or better yet "specializes" in family movies and video.

So take a look at what's on the internet and join a family movie club. Most offer a variety of special benefits to club members that make online club membership very convenient and affordable.

Then pick up some delicious popcorn and some other treats and start the wonderful tradition of family movie night in your home, a tradition you and your children will fondly remember for years to come.

And remember, some of the best and most popular films of all time have been family movies.

posted by aasdas38493 @ 3:40 PM 0 comments

Score - It's a Partying Soccer Goal!

Soccer is growing in popularity around the country. Many kids want a soccer themed party for their birthday. There are lots of fun ways to have everything at your event be soccer related!

Pick a list of kids to attend your party and send out soccer ball invitations. A party supply store will have all the accessories and motifs available for soccer. Have the kids wear their soccer cleats to the party if they have any or their favorite jersey.

The soccer party can be for a birthday, but it can also include a fun scrimmage soccer game. Set up two goals a short distance away and let them run around and score. If there is a parent coach nearby, have them set up cones and let the kids run through some drills. Make up a game for the two teams and have them be the sharks and the guppies and run! The exercise will do them good, not to mention wear them out so they sit better inside the house to eat.

Prizes to give away can be personalized trophies or ribbons. Attach a team picture for a great keepsake for everyone. Other treats can be candy, plastic trinkets or soccer related toys. A soccer ball piata is another great entertainment and prize piece all in one.

Soccer decorations can be found at any party supply store. Soccer balloons, black and white streamers and wall hangings make for a perfect sports party. Special soccer favor bags and treats can also be purchased to give away to each guest.

Party planning stores will also have all of the paper products needed to serve cake and lunch. Plates, napkins and tablecloths to match your soccer motif make clean up easy! Special ball shaped cake pans make round cakes which can be frosted to make soccer cakes!

posted by aasdas38493 @ 12:22 AM 0 comments