Nailing it Down
By Dave Murnen and Pat Beaty
Happy New Year! Can you believe that in just one more day, 2017 will be in the books?
Before we begin with some ideas to start 2018 with fresh resolve and some good goals for your house and finances, let’s talk for a moment about how to get you safely through the last bit of 2017.
TIPS FOR A SAFE
NEW YEAR’S
Last week we mentioned that four of the five days of the year that have the most residential candle fires are at this time of the year. After Christmas Day and Christmas Eve, New Year’s Day is statistically the third most common day to have a residential fire caused by candles.
Let’s defy those statistics here in Grays Harbor. Please take a look at some of the following tips. The last thing you want to deal with in the New Year is recovering from a house fire!
So, here again are a few safety reminders, stated a different way, for your New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day festivities:
If it still is up, go water that Christmas tree right now (and plan on taking it down soon). Don’t plan on burning it. Instead, recycle it for safety’s sake. Or, as we mentioned in an earlier column, see if some group like the Boy Scouts will haul yours away. (Remember to generously compensate them for this service.)
Do you have candles as part of your New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day party? Keep a close eye on them. Keep them far from wafting curtains and flammable décor.
Hectic kitchens can be a concern. Keep your wits about you. Avoid loose clothes and keep pot handles turned inward.
When the bubbly is flowing, judgment becomes weaker, so plan ahead to have a safe environment. As you move furniture to accommodate guests, make sure you don’t block any entrances or exits.
Do you or any friends and family smoke? Make sure you have plenty of deep ashtrays available. Before you head to bed, check upholstery to make sure a stray cigarette isn’t smoldering.
Consider ringing in the New Year with pots, pans and whistles instead of shotguns, fireworks and cannons. (Fireworks are the most common cause of fire during New Year’s.)
If you’re not too busy planning and preparing for your New Year’s parties, take a few minutes to take a fresh look at the coming year, at least as far as your house goes.
START a FRESH BUDGET
After Christmas, when the bills start rolling in, for too many it can seem overwhelming — and therefore not a great time to think about a new budget. However, the good news is that Jan. 1 gives us all a chance to celebrate a new start with a fresh balance sheet, new budget and the tools and resolve to deal with your finances in a responsible way.
A vast majority of Americans are in deep credit card debt, but many are fighting their way out. Still, many people in our country live from paycheck to paycheck and even a $500 car repair bill or doctor’s bill throws everything off kilter.
That doesn’t have to be you. Let 2018 be the year where you establish some good financial goals and habits — and are determined to increase your emergency fund of six times your monthly wages by using an every paycheck automatic savings plan.
Also, research has shown again and again that specific, demonstrable, written goals and a budget make all the difference. If the money is not in your hand, you are less likely to spend it.
This is something we at NeighborWorks can help you with — free. Give us a call if you’d like a hand with getting out of debt or putting together a realistic household budget and emergency fund.
Adding our expertise and fresh eyes on your family’s finances can get you started in the right direction. Everything with our housing adviser is in strict confidence and never shared without your written permission.
GOALS FOR YOUR HOUSE
While January is not always the best time to accomplish many weather-dependent household projects, it is a great time to write a complete list of priorities for your house and property. Is this the year to paint inside or out; repair or replace a roof; weatherize; replace siding or windows; install a ductless heat pump; clean a chimney; refinish your hardwood floors or clean your carpets? Take a breath, then prioritize your needs — that’s Step 1.
Step 2: Develop a house repair budget. Start estimating the costs for each project. Get help on this where you can. Actual bids are best. Start with the most important item on the list. Be generous and practical until you know better about the actual cost. Now, what can you afford and from where — savings or a loan? We may be able to help in the loan end.
Step 3:Who is really going to be doing the work — you or a contractor? Now adjust your budget to reflect the new revelation. Are you still good with your prioritized plan, and is the budget real and workable?
Pre-planning the best order to tackle things, by whom, can save you time and money. Knowing where the money is coming from is priceless.
So is a good contractor. Know this, contractors are scarce these days and many are already planning their spring-summer schedules. You may want to write out what you want in plain English and get started on gathering ideas and estimates for the projects that require professional workers.
You may also need an engineer, designer, or architect depending on your project. Your local building official can help you figure this out by what they need to issue you a permit. They can be very helpful — go talk about your project.
The point is to give yourself plenty of time to get to the detailed answers before you have something built. If you plan ahead, sometimes you can even group a couple smaller jobs together saving money and time.
All of us here at NeighborWorks wish you a safe, happy and healthy 2018! Cheers!
Dave Murnen and Pat Beaty are construction specialists at NeighborWorks of Grays Harbor County, where Murnen is executive director. This is a nonprofit organization committed to creating safe and affordable housing for all residents of Grays Harbor County. For questions about home repair, renting, remodeling or buying, call 360-533-7828 or visit 710 E. Market St. in Aberdeen.
