14 Easy Ways To Spruce Up Your Backyard!

 Your backyard is your own personal oasis - a place to relax, entertain, and enjoy the great outdoors. But if it's been a while since you've given your backyard a makeover, it might be time for an update.

Photo by Randy Fath on Unsplash

Here Are 14 Easy Ways To Spruce Up Your Backyard And Make It Look Its Best:

1. Add Some Color

One easy way to update your backyard is to add some color. This can be done by planting flowers or adding colorful outdoor furniture or decor. Adding color will instantly make your backyard more inviting and enjoyable.

2. Create A Cozy Seating Area

Another way to update your backyard is to create a cozy seating area. This can be done by buying an outdoor dining table, adding a patio or deck, setting up a fire pit, or adding some comfortable outdoor couches or chairs. A cozy seating area is the perfect place to relax and enjoy your backyard.

3. Add Some Privacy

Consider adding a fence or hedge if you're looking for ways to update your backyard and make it more private. This will give you some much-needed privacy and make your backyard feel like its own oasis. In addition, privacy will also increase the value of your home.

4. Get Rid Of Weeds And Debris

Weeds and debris can ruin the look of your backyard and make it feel unkempt. To update your backyard, be sure to remove any weeds or debris that might be present. This will give your backyard a neater appearance and make it more inviting.

5. Add Some Lighting

Adding some soft lighting to your backyard is a great way to make it more inviting and enjoyable. You can add solar lights along your walkways, string lights around your seating area, or even install landscape lighting. Adding lighting will make your backyard feel more like an extension of your home.

It creates a more inviting atmosphere, but it can also be used for safety purposes. When adding lighting to your backyard, be sure to choose weather-resistant and durable fixtures.

6. Get Rid Of The Clutter

One easy way to instantly update your backyard is to get rid of any clutter that might be taking up space. This could mean donating old furniture or toys, storing away seasonal items, or simply getting rid of anything that you no longer use or need. Getting rid of the clutter will make your backyard feel more spacious and inviting.

7. Bring In Some New Plants

Another easy way to update your backyard is to bring in some new plants. This could include adding flowers, shrubs, or even trees. Adding new plants will help give your backyard a fresh and vibrant look. In addition, plants can also help to provide privacy and increase the value of your home.

8. Add A Water Feature

Adding a water feature to your masterpiece is a great way to make your backyard more enjoyable and relaxing. Water features can include anything from a small fountain to a large pond. Adding a water feature will help to create a tranquil and serene atmosphere in your backyard.

9. Paint Or Stain Your Fencing

If you have a fence around your backyard, consider painting or staining it. This will help to give your backyard a fresh and new look. In addition, painting or staining your fence will also help to protect it from the elements and increase its lifespan.

10. Add A Fire Pit

A fire pit is an awesome way to make your backyard more enjoyable. Fire pits can be used for cooking, entertaining, or just relaxing. Adding a fire pit will definitely make your backyard stand out.

11. Plant A Veggie Garden

If you love to cook, consider planting a veggie garden. This is a great way to get fresh produce for your family and save money at the grocery store. Planting a veggie garden is also a great way to get your kids involved in gardening.

12. Install An Outdoor Kitchen

If you love to cook outdoors, consider installing an outdoor kitchen. Outdoor kitchens are becoming increasingly popular and can really make your backyard stand out. Outdoor kitchens can include features such as grills, sinks, and refrigerators.

13. Add A Pergola

A pergola is a great way to add style and functionality to your backyard. Pergolas can be used for shading, entertaining, or even just as a decorative element. Adding a pergola will definitely make your backyard stand out. There are different styles of pergolas available, so checking out COLORBOND pergolas and other similar types, will show you what will fit in with your backyard.

14. Hang String Lights

Hanging string lights is a great way to add ambiance to your backyard. String lights can be hung from trees, fences, or even on poles. Hanging string lights will help your backyard look its best and make it more inviting.

In Conclusion

These are just some of the many easy ways to update your backyard and make it look its best. You can easily transform your backyard into your own personal oasis by following these tips.

Can You Get Rid of Payday Loans with Bankruptcy or Debt Relief?

 If you are behind on debts, the bills are piling up, and you’ve begun getting letters from PO box 25759 Greenville SC, waiting until your next paycheck may not seem realistic. Payday loans offer a fast, easy and reliable way to get money when you need it. However, it comes with its downsides and could cause financial hardships over time as it traps you in an unending cycle of debt. When going through a financial crisis, you might opt to file bankruptcy to eliminate debt. But are payday loans dischargeable in bankruptcy cases? Here is everything you need to know about payday loans and bankruptcy.

1. Are you Eligible to File for Bankruptcy?

Pay day loans can be discharged in a bankruptcy if they are unsecured.

Before considering filing for bankruptcy to discharge your payday loans, the first step should be identifying if you are eligible to file for bankruptcy. Use a Chapter 7 means calculator to test your eligibility.

If you are eligible, there are other factors to consider, like the cost of filing for bankruptcy. The costs of filing bankruptcy depend on where you live. So when doing your research, you should specifically look at the costs in your state rather than checking general costs for an accurate prediction. Here is a guide on how much it costs to file bankruptcy in Georgia and how much it costs to file bankruptcy in Colorado. You should also compare other debt-relief options and their pros and cons before filing for bankruptcy.

2. Should I Include Payday Loans When Filling Out Debts in My Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Case?

When filing for bankruptcy, the court will ask you to disclose your income, debt, and expenses. If you have an outstanding Payday loan, you should include it in your bankruptcy schedule alongside other debts, irrespective of whether the debt is dischargeable. Although most unsecured debts are dischargeable, payday loans aren't always dischargeable. If you don’t qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, it may be worth your time to take a Chapter 13 payment calculator to see what your other options are.

Debts Incurred Less than Three Months Before Filing Bankruptcy

If you incur debts between 60 and 90 days before filing bankruptcy, these debts may not be eligible for discharge. The assumption is that you took out these loans in anticipation of filing bankruptcy, and you knew you had no means to repay. Therefore, it is fraudulent, and these debts cannot be discharged.

A major challenge payday loans pose is that most renew every 30 to 60 days. So, your lender may argue the debt should be non-dischargeable since they were incurred shortly before filing bankruptcy.

Agreements That May Prohibit You From Listing Payday Loans in Bankruptcy

Unique cases could prohibit you from listing payday loans under debts in your bankruptcy loans. Always go through the paperwork, terms, and conditions of the payday loan before signing. Some lenders add a clause stating the payday loan cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. However, the clause is not legally recognized and, thus, will not impact a discharge. So, if the court finds your payday loan eligible for discharge following federal bankruptcy laws, the clause added in the loan agreement will not prevent the court from issuing discharge.

How the Law Treats Bad Checks

Other than adding a clause to term the payday loan non-dischargeable, some lenders might also state you will go to jail if you attempt to close your bank account to avoid withdrawing funds or deposit a post-dated check under ACH authorization.

Usually, this is an invalid threat since the lender knew you weren't in a financial position to pay the electronic withdrawal or post-dated check when you signed the agreement. So, it is hard to prove your actions were fraudulent because the lender accepted a "bad check" and was aware of your financial position.

Can I File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy After Taking a Payday Loan?

It is not wrong to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy after recently taking a payday loan. However, if your payday loan is recent, it may not be dischargeable. So, if the lender objects to the payday loan discharge, you might be legally responsible for paying the loan despite filing for bankruptcy relief

Different States have Varying Laws on  PayDay Loans

The laws on payday loans vary according to state. Most states have laws governing payday loans since most are abusive to consumers. Payday loan companies are prohibited from automatically renewing the loan in other states, which is helpful since you might wait for months before filing bankruptcy to get debt relief.

3. Understanding How Payday Loans Work

While there isn't a standard definition for what qualifies as a payday loan, there are some characteristics all payday loans share in common. All payday loans are short-term loans that are repaid on the next payday (between two and four weeks or even 3 months) either from salary, social security, or pension and in a single payment. Payday loans are commonly referred to as payday, cash, or paycheck advance

Most lending companies ask their borrowers to submit a post-dated check for the full amount, including fees and interest. Some lenders may need their borrowers to sign an ACH authorization to enable electronic withdrawals from their bank account on specified dates.

Some of these payday loans can be renewed or rolled over, requiring the borrower to pay the interest and fees but allowing an extension of the principal amount for another period. Payday loans and fees are often high, and some lenders can charge high fees with an annual percentage rate of 400 or more. Thus, creating the need for regulation.

Although Payday loans come in handy and are easy to access, they often worsen financial problems. Most people who apply for payday loans soon get trapped in a cycle of rollover payday loans due to the inability to pay the original loan balance. Others borrow money from a different source to pay their Payday loans, increasing their debt further.

4. Should I Consult a Bankruptcy Attorney About Payday Loans?

If you want to file for bankruptcy, it is prudent to schedule a consultation with a bankruptcy attorney if you have a payday loan. Consider hiring a local attorney since payday loan laws vary according to state, and a local attorney understands these laws better.

A bankruptcy lawyer gives you reliable, professional advice on if your payday loan is eligible for discharge and offers alternatives to settle your payday loans. Depending on your case, an attorney can advise you to close your bank account and wait for at least three months before filing bankruptcy.

Each case is unique, and there is no sure way to know if your payday loan is eligible for a discharge. Hence, you need to consult a bankruptcy attorney to review your loan agreement, assess your financial situation and predict the outcome.

5. Are There Alternatives to Filing Bankruptcy to Get Out of Debt

You can consider debt relief as an alternative to bankruptcy, but you may want to consider the fees.

National Debt Relief and Freedom Debt Relief are two of the biggest players in the space. That said, you should consider the National Debt Relief pros and cons of this options as the fees can be quite expensive.

If you have fallen behind on your debt payments and still have outstanding payday loans to repay, you can try other debt-relief options. However, given the rise in malpractices as alleged in the Freedom Debt Relief Lawsuit, you should do extensive research on companies you plan to work with.

6. Where Can I Find a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer for Hire?

Would you like to file for bankruptcy but have a payday loan? Seek the services of a bankruptcy lawyer to help you see if bankruptcy is the best option and if your payday loan will be discharged. Most bankruptcy attorneys offer a free consultation. So, get a local bankruptcy lawyer, and schedule your consultation. You can also ask your attorney to advise you on different debt relief options available to you and advice on alternative options to get rid of debt. Call us today to book your consultation.

 

 

 

How to Convert Your Garage into a Cool Livable Space

People often do all sorts of things to create more space in their homes, e.g building more storage rooms or creating multipurpose rooms. However, many people often ignore one important part of the house with a lot of space, and that is the unused garage. If you have a garage in your home that's unused, consider converting it into a more useful part of the home.

A garage can be converted into a home gym, a home office, a mudroom, spare bedroom, or kid playroom among others. However, there are several considerations to make before you begin the project and they include the following.

Safety Considerations

Safety is always a top priority on every job site, especially ones close to your home. Create a safety zone around the garage so that children, pets, neighbors, and guests know to stay away. Get a well-stocked safety kit that would include safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs, dusk masks, respirators, and proper workwear made from durable materials. Don’t forget hard hats and steel toe work boots. There are work boots made especially for women and ones made for men, so ensure you get the right specifications for everyone working on the site.

Lastly, even when you’re remodeling your garage using the DIY method, there are certain permit jobs that need to be left to professionals. This includes electrical jobs, structural alterations, HVAC, and plumbing. So make sure your budget covers the cost of hiring a few professionals who can do the job safely.

Cost of Converting a Garage

The cost of converting a garage depends on several factors, the chief of which is whether you're going to be hiring an architect to oversee the project or if you’re going the DIY route. 

Choosing to convert your garage yourself as a DIY project would involve working side-by-side with a tradesperson or contractor to build your dream. This option does not cost as much as the alternative which requires hiring a professional architect to design the entire conversion and hiring construction experts to do the entire work.

Garage conversions are never cheap; however, they’re much cheaper than building a whole new addition to the home. According to Forbes Advisor, it could cost anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 to convert a garage using the non-DIY method.

Check Zoning Regulations

Converting a garage is more than just hiring a contractor or architect. It’s very important to research the local regulations for garage conversions in your city. Some regions may prohibit residents from transforming car spaces into living spaces. Others might permit, provided you have sufficient off-street parking to replace the lost garage space. Also, if you share your home with tenants or ever plan on sharing or renting out your home then it may be difficult to get a garage conversion permit. So before you invest any money into this project, make sure you look into all the legalities.

Features that Make Your Garage Livable

To make your garage livable, there are fun and stylish elements you must install to make the space more like home. Some of these elements are extremely important. They include:

Windows: Garages typically do not come with windows so to make your space more livable, you would need to create space for a window or two.

Waterproofing: Most garages are not as thoroughly waterproofed as living spaces. This is because garages are designed to store vehicles and equipment; this means they do not fully resist water penetration. So waterproofing is very essential when converting a garage to a living space. Waterproofing your garage for conversion must be done carefully, thoroughly, and with the best waterproofing materials because any mistake could compromise the entire project. You don't want water leaking into your space after it’s been fully set up.

Lighting: The already existing lighting in your garage might not be sufficient for living, so you’ll need to add one or two more lights and switches to make the space brighter.

Drywall and Insulation: You might need to add basic drywall to your garage for insulation purposes because garages are typically built with no drywall and no insulation. Sometimes garages have drywalls that are just hung up with no sort of sanding, painting, or finishing. If your garage already has drywall, you may need to have it uninstalled, insulated, and then reinstalled and finished. Conventional forms of insulation for your new walls include rock wool, sprayed foam conventional fiberglass roll insulation.

Ceiling: The ceiling height must at least be 7.5 feet if you want to make your garage a living space. So take note of this especially if you have plans to raise your garage floor. The ceiling would also have to be insulated. Fiberglass batts are great materials for ceiling insulation.

Other features you may want to install to create the perfect living space in your garage include heating, power outlets, Ethernet cables, Wi-Fi, and storage space.

What to Do With Your Converted Garage

Once you have converted your garage into a cozy space, there are several things you could do with this space. They include:

Kids Playroom

If you have more than two kids in your home, you’ll find that there’s ever hardly enough space for them to play indoors, yet you may not want them playing outdoors at certain times of the day. Having a kid-friendly playroom in your garage guarantees a safe space for children to spend time while closely supervised by adults.

Home Office

You can use your garage as a home office where you can work away from distractions from other family members.

Home Gym

If you love working out, you could set up your renovated garage with a couple of gym equipment and spend some minutes there working out daily.

Guest Room

If your renovated garage is now well-insulated and pest-free, you may put a bed in there and have your overnight guests spend the night in the cozy space.

 

Useful Guidelines On Choosing The Best Child Care Services

 When you search for daycare for your child, you will see many options in front of you. The daycare you choose for your child will have a great impact on his grooming and personality traits. That's why It is always advised that you choose the best one for your child depending on certain factors and a few things that every reputable child care center has in common. 

Consider these guidelines to help yourself out in making the right decision for your child care. 

Do Your Search

There are plenty of options you can choose to find a child care center for your kid. You can either do this by: 

• searching on different websites 

• talking to your family or friends’ circle who are already sending their kids to some care center

• Talk to some advisors who have resources and experience 

Searching for daycare is not difficult, but choosing one is. Once you get the list of different options, make sure you check for a few things since that's a place your kid is going to spend most of his time and learn from the surroundings. 

Check The Environment

Child care centers must provide an environment that seems clean, light and fun so a child stays healthy, does not get bored, and feels at home. Make sure that the daycare you choose for your child has an inviting environment and everything is set up in a way that provides your child with proper learning and playing facilities. 

Check Out The Classroom Staff

Make sure that the child care center has a well-organized staff and you should also see how many staff members are provided to each classroom.

It is ideal if there are more teachers and caretakers to provide kids with everything they need in their free time, nap time, feeding time, learning time, and playing time. But if the staff is limited, they shouldn't look stressed and exhausted with the kids. Staff teachers should be welcoming and know how to handle the kids with care.

See The Curriculum

Every daycare has its curriculum, and every curriculum depends on the level of care you seek for your child. If your child is under 2 years, he should be provided with a Montessori curriculum and you should see the evidence for that. 

For example, classrooms should include playing material and activities that your kid will participate in throughout his day. There should be learning along with fun through the whole setup of the classroom environment.

Safety Should Be The Top Priority

You should always choose a daycare center with safety in mind. Make sure that the care center you choose has all safety measurements, all staff members are well-trained to respond to emergencies, and there is a complete security system. 

In addition to security issues, there are other issues which you should be concerned about. Examples, injury cases, accidents, and other emergencies that can happen to any kid at any time. In this case, care providers should know the guidelines and how to respond to those situations, and when to make a phone call to the parents.  

Reputation Matters

The first thing you should check about the daycare center is that it must be licensed. Other things come second but they are still important to know. Make sure that the daycare you choose for your kid has a good reputation and has a clear record. You can have a small check for your satisfaction and can do this by:

• Checking the background of the daycare center

• Seeing the reviews 

• Asking questions from the staff

• Interacting with the kids in the daycare

Useful Tips To Prevent Food Waste

 No matter if you are into vegan food, have a certain diet, or eat all types of food, many households around the world waste too much food. It is common for an average household to throw away food each week, which is wasting a lot of money. Plus, it is harmful to the environment. 

To prevent food waste in your household, here are some tips.

Radish Fade Pesto Salsa - Free photo on Pixabay

Buy ingredients that everyone will eat

If you have a partner or children or live with a friend, it is important to buy ingredients that everyone will eat. Otherwise, one person might find it difficult to consume one thing alone before it expires. 

For instance, if your family loves pizza then making pizza sticks is a snack that your family will love. Everyone can enjoy tasty tomatoey and cheesy dough. Hence, making such a simple snack to enjoy while watching movies or playing games will ensure that you will avoid wasting food as everyone will enjoy the same ingredients. 

Make your own sauces from leftover ingredients

Whacking leftover ingredients that are about to expire into a food blender could help you make an incredibly tasty sauce. Experimenting with flavors might help you to discover a new favorite. 

It is simple to make homemade sauces. All you will need alongside the ingredients is some oil to make it blend into a smooth consistency. 

Likewise, it could mean that you save costs when shopping as you can continue making sauces instead of buying ready-made ones. 

Plan ahead

Wasting food each week simply comes from a lack of planning. If you plan your meals for the week before you shop, then you will only buy what you need and know you will use it.

Planning ahead means that you can utilize all ingredients in your fridge and cupboards so that nothing gets thrown in the bin. 

Get creative

Should you still have some food left after each week, then it is time to get creative. You don’t always need to cook the same meals or what you have planned. If you have food leftover that is soon to expire, then get creative and make something new. 

You might have random ingredients leftover but you will be surprised what you can make with some ingredients. 

You can type the ingredients into the internet and find new recipes so that you can utilize the rest of your food. 

Organize your kitchen

Should you have a messy kitchen or lack an order as to which you organize your food, then it can help to organize your kitchen. If everything has a dedicated space, then you will know where to look for ingredients that could be going off. 

Likewise, you will be able to see everything that can be used instead of pushing things to the back of the cupboards or the fridge. Staying organized will make sure that everything has a visible space in your kitchen so that no ingredients get forgotten about and go out of date.