1. The first step to having a home that looks great is a healthy lawn. My secret weapon is a rake. Run it across your lawn to thin out any dead grass and promote healthy growth. This will keep your lawn looking thick and neat, and the only cost is a little bit of your time and some elbow grease.
2. Use organic fertilizers to feed your lawn, garden and flowerbeds. Organic options have come a long way. The key to success is to follow directions! Make sure you use the proper ratios and work them well into the soil. You’ll get terrific results, naturally.
3. Add some lighting. Any pathway, doorway or garden can benefit from accent lighting. Solar lights are a good idea because they are easy to install and don’t require a power source beyond the sun. Just a few hours a day will charge the batteries and add ambiance to your home every evening.
4. Create an orchard of one. Fruit trees add natural beauty to any home, but you don’t need a whole grove to make an impact. You can find a fruit tree to thrive in any location. Lemon, orange, apple, even a plum tree, will add color to the front of your home and fruit to your table.

Be sure to check out Ace’s “Restore Your Outdoors” contest with The Weather Channel that is going on right. One lucky winner has an opportunity to win an outdoor makeover valued at $15,000! Nominations will be accepted until May 15, 2011. Entries can be submitted online and more information can be found at www.weather.com/restore.

Post from: EveryJoe

Will credit card issuers rush to take what they can get?

The recession has seen a number of changes to credit card accounts. Credit lines have been cut, fees and interest rates have been rising, and rewards have been slashed (and even discontinued). So it is nice that credit card companies will now have to notify you 45 days in advance if they plan to increase rates or change rewards programs. It gives you time to do what you need to do in order to cash in rewards. Additionally, the fact that credit card companies won’t be able to retroactively hike rates — unless you are 60 days delinquent — is a nice touch. But none of this takes effect for 9 months. Until then, we are naked before the storm.

Because credit card companies have never been overly nice about balances and interest rates, it is quite likely that you could see your interest rates rise. Your rewards values may be cut. I would be very surprised if credit card issuers don’t try to get whatever they can out of you before the new rules take effect. So be on the look out. And be aware that they don’t have to give you any notice. Consumer protections aren’t in place yet.

Do you think that credit card companies will go on a rampage over the next 9 months?

image source: larrybobsf via Flickr

Post from: EveryJoe