GR8TR Today Magazine

Living a GR8TR Life Every Day

House & Home

Fall Car Maintenance for Cold Weather Dwellers

As Summer ends and Fall begins, you want to take a look at several things with your car before the weather gets too cold.  Some of these things are basic and can be done at a local parts store and some of these things you might need a mechanic to check, maybe at your next oil change.

Wipers and Fluid are something to get replaced and filled up before you start getting into sleet and snow.  That is no time to not be able to see well.  And do not add water to your wiper fluid as it could freeze.

Next look closely at your tire treads.  If they are worn too far down it is time to get new tires before the slick roads pose a bigger risk.  Shopping around in local tire stores before you need to rush and find replacement tires will help you get the best price.

Next consider having your battery tested.  Once it gets cold you may find a marginal battery is no longer turning over the car and you are stuck someplace and cannot get the car started.  Last year we had a fairly new car not able to start because one cell of the battery was bad.  This was odd as we knew a newer car should not have a battery issue that early but it was important to figure out the issue and replace it because we got stranded several times.

Heating is also something to take a look at.  Once you start using the heater again, there are a number of things that can go wrong and make the heating less efficient or even overheat the car.  At the very least make sure if you have had your radiator flushed and it has the proper level of coolant if it is time for that.

Check all of your lights as well.  If you are going to replace burned out lights yourself it is a lot more pleasant to do it in 50 degree weather than 30 degree weather.  Might as well do it now.

Lastly, a common issue is brakes.  If your brakes are worn and you have not replaced the brake pads yet, it will only be worse as the road conditions get worse.  It is important that you can stop well and that everything has been checked out.

Lawn Cleanup Tips

What you do to clean up your lawn in the fall depends on a few factors.

  1. Do you have a large or small yard?
  2. Do you have many or a few trees?
  3. Do you have kids that like to help?
  4. Does your city provide curb side leaf pickup?

There are a variety of techniques to clean the yard.  In Kent, where I like, we have trees that keep their leaves until Spring in some cases.

That means we are picking up leaves throughout the Fall, Winter (if warmer) and Spring.  Because of this I like to pick them up in batches and not try to do the entire lawn at once.

30 Years ago you saw people raking and bagging the leaves.  Now the manual way to get it done is to rake leaves onto a tarp and drag the tarp to the front of the house and dump them along the curb and they will get cleaned up by your city in many cases.

Other options include leaf blowers.  Electric leaf blowers are inexpensive, but will only work well for modest amounts of leaves that are dry.  A gas leaf blower will be able to handle more leaves and damp leaves much better.  Make sure you wear ear plugs to protect your hearing.

Another option is simply to mow the leaves if they are few and scattered.  Mulching them into the yard with your lawnmower set low is good if there are not too many.

Lastly, hire a company to come and clean your yard.  If you are older or too busy, having a landscape company come and use blowers to clean your yard well will save you the hassle and difficulty.

Remember, just like shoveling snow, raking leaves is not an activity your body is most likely used to and it can be dangerous if you push too hard or try to do too much.  You will likely be sore for days and you could hurt your back or suffer other injuries, so make a smart choice to remove your leaves and cleaning your yard.

 

Raising High Acheivement Kids – Interview with All Pro Parent

All Pro Parent is a community of parents serious about raising high achievement kids.  Starting early and following a steady plan, parents can expect their kids to grow up better in both academics, athletics and having a variety of added skills that give the kids an advantage.  This can often result in free college and better jobs, as well as a higher probability of becoming a pro athlete.  The below interview is with Ron McDaniel, founder of All Pro Parent.

Why did you start AllProParent.com?

I found myself always talking to other parents about how we managed to have kids who were very good athletes as well as high achievers in academics.  And we did so much better with the second child that I wanted to help people avoid all the trial and error and start out with a ton of knowledge from the beginning.  There is a huge learning curve raising kids, and the more you know and the earlier you start, the better your results will be. 

What makes you qualified to run All Pro Parent?

As I mentioned, we are very active with your kids and did a combination of home schooling and public school.  The result with our youngest is she got into college at 13 and started taking classes full time at 14.  She is also still planning to be a professional athlete and that seems on course based on our plan of finishing college at 18 and going on the WTA tennis tour.

Why Did You Name Your Site “All Pro Parent?”

The name is a play on the idea of raising pro athlete kids (aka high performers.) Unless a kid has ridiculous levels of natural talent, the reality is it takes an All Pro Parent to raise a high achiever kid.  Especially if you want academics and athletics.

What kinds of things do members of All Pro Parent have access to?

One of the most important things to me is to make it free to anyone who wants to go down this path.  But of course, we need to have revenue to fund development of content.  So, we are using a freemium model where anyone can say they need free access and join without a cost.  However, people who are willing to pay .63¢ per day ($19 per month) get access to all the archives, while the free accounts only have access to the base training and new stuff for a short period of time.  I think it is the best way for us to have a model that can help everyone but still be a real business with resources.

What kind of outcomes can people expect?

I would love to see people go all in and do an incredible level of development with their kids.  The outcome can be fantastic.  However, many people have both parents working or limited time for other reasons, and it is hard.  Here is a better way of thinking about it.  If you start at birth and until the age of 14 you do 30 extra academic minutes with them 150 days out of the year (3 or 4 days a week) then at 14 they will be at least a grade level above where they are supposed to be.  That could be worth many thousands of dollars in free college and scholarships and can get them into better schools.

Likewise, 3 hours of athletic development per week from age 3 to 14 results in 1,716 hours of built up training and athletic practice.  Compare that to someone who decides to go out for a sport in High School but has not been preparing, and the difference is embarrassing. 

It is this steadiness over time that we stress.  There is a buildup of knowledge and ability, which also compounds and adds things like confidence, assertiveness and mastery.  Parents will get out of it what they put into it, but it does not have to be too much in any given week.  Parents succeed when they play the long game.

What if a kid is not athletic or is of average intelligence?

Our program is about maximizing talent over time.  No one can promise a specific outcome but by doing more over a long period of time you can feel confident that you will get better results.  Someone who is not physically gifted athletically can still play high level high school sports, and benefit from competition, physical fitness and a team environment.  Average academic ability can turn into top 10% when you apply extra effort from a young age.  Being in the 10% instead of 50% might not get you into Harvard or Yale, but there are still many more opportunities of better schools, scholarships and job opportunities.

In the long run, we want people to have a strong family work ethic towards being better.  It pays off.  Being part of a community where other parents have the same attitude and goals helps keep people on track.

How do people find out more about AllProParent.com?

Just visit www.AllProParent.com and sign up for the free email.  Then join the members area for more training as well as the Facebook group to interact with me and other parents.  Anyone who is not afraid of doing some extra to produce high achieving kids is welcome.

Car Winterization Tips

As the weather gets colder, you are more likely to have car issues and you most likely are less enthused about being stuck along the side of the road.  Taking that into consideration,  you need to take care of your cars’ “health” before winter truly arrives. Here is list of 5 things you should be checking out to ensure your car is running smoothly and won’t let you stranded.

  1. Battery – If starting your car seems to be getting sluggish, and your car’s battery is older than three years, it is a good time to get it checked and make sure it is still in working condition. If your engine light is on, sometimes the battery is the one responsible for it, and you need to replace it as soon as you can.
  1. Coolant – also known as antifreeze, can help your car’s engine stay at optimal condition in cold weather. Coolant can keep your engine from freezing during those single digit temperatures in the northeast Ohio area, and you can get a gallon of antifreeze for less than $15 dollars
  1. Tires – We usually replace the tires in our car by the pair.  During cold weather, and when there is snow on the ground, having good tires can be the difference between having an accident or not.  Making sure your car has good tires, and that they have the right pressure, is very important for you and the life of your car.
  1. Lighting – By 5:15 p.m. we are experience the sunset in northern states, sunlight is no longer there when we leave work, and during this time of the year, it is very important the light bulbs in our cars are all in optimal condition. The visibility we have during the winter months is much less, and we need to be prepared for it.
  1. Washer Fluid – during a snow storm, it is very frightening to find yourself with no washer fluid in your car. Visibility is null, and a Walmart is nowhere in sight, what do you do? Make sure the fluids in your car are checked before winter arrives, and not only the washer fluid.

By taking care of your car, you  can prevent accidents, avoid unnecessary expenses like towing services, and maximize the life of your vehicle.

Gutter Cleaning – Must

Many people do not keep their gutters adequately clean. Sometimes this neglect comes from a forgetful owner, but often the consequences that result from improper gutter maintenance are simply not taken seriously. This is a costly mistake to make both in monetary terms and in the potential for serious injury.

Gutters are a part of almost every building and for a very good reason: Water must be directed away from the foundation. When debris such as tree leaves, pine needles, sticks and dust clog up the gutters, water then has nowhere to go. Any water that is not able to spill over the sides of the gutter begins to collect against the roof and rot will quickly set in. When this happens, the possibility exists that major repairs will then be required.

Rain water that spills over the gutter can not only cause soil erosion where it hits the ground, but it also can create a persistent accumulation of water that can seep into the ground and collect against the foundation of the building. This can put additional stress on concrete walls, creating cracks and causing basements to leak and become damp. In addition to simply causing the area to smell bad, this dampness can cause an infestation of mold. Many serious health complications may then result, such as asthma and allergies. Mold is very difficult to rid from a building and may quickly become so pervasive that staying in the structure is impossible.

Finally, when gutters are not cleaned, the debris acts as a perfect place for seeds to sprout. As these weeds and trees grow and multiply, their additional weight can cause the gutters to collapse.

Gutter cleaning is more than a responsibility: It is a critical part of properly maintaining any structure and is of vital importance.

Don’t Clean Your Gutters Yourself – Dangerous!

If you live in a climate where the trees lose leaves,  gutters start filling up with them in Fall. But no one should clean gutters themselves. They should hire a contractor to do the work for them. It is just dangerous to clean gutters yourselves. People think it is not a big deal, but it is. They don’t think that they should have to hire a professional to clean their gutters. They think it is easy and ok for them to clean their gutters themselves. There is sometimes an attitude that since it is the house, that the person can do anything and clean their house themselves. However, they should be prepared to hire a contractor for important work like this. It can be awful dangerous to try it yourself.

Cleaning your gutters yourself has a lot of inherent dangers to it. You can be working on a ladder, and it might be an old ladder in the garage, and the ladder might be shaky and wobbly. It can be hard to get it to work right and stand up right. However, if you are working with a contractor, then they will have a brand new ladder to work with. They can stand it up right, and they will handle the cleaning of the gutters easily.

If you are cleaning your gutters yourself, you can also get exposed to dangerous stuff in your gutters. You never know what it is in your gutters, and you have to be prepared for just about anything that is in there. You really can never know, and a gutter cleaner will be able to clean them securely, because they will have a face mask on, and this will prevent them from having anything bad happen to them, when they get their gutter cleaned out. It can be really difficult to have someone clean out your gutter if you are accustomed to doing it. They will also wear gloves when they clean it. You should be prepared to offer them your best support for when they clean it though. Tell them about all the intricacies and details of the gutter. Don’t leave anything out. It could be dangerous for them if they find out a surprise with the gutter cleaning. You want them to be prepared for every eventuality when they are cleaning your gutter. Contractors are good at what they do, but they still need your support to succeed.

Kitchen Renovations – How to Save Money and When to Hire Someone

There are some home projects many homeowners can do by themselves. Replacing flooring, changing light fixtures, or painting a room in the house are all home projects many of us can do.  And even though replacing flooring in a room is not necessarily easy, it is a project most homeowners can do by themselves.

How about Kitchen renovations? Can homeowners do them themselves?

Kitchen renovations involve many, many difficult steps that many homeowners are not able to do by themselves.  It is possible to do a kitchen renovation if you have the time to do things slowly and well. Also, it is possible to do the kitchen project yourself if you are willing to hire some help when you need it.   Not everyone is willing or able to do this project. But if you are adventurous, have the time, have an abundance of patience, and want to save money, here are some tips for you to consider before you begin.

  1. By ordering the cabinets online yourself(even if you need the company’s designers) you will be saving money by not paying the high prices of a contractor or home improvement store. Use the company’s designers if you can.  A mistake in the order will be their responsibility, and you won’t have to pay shipping fees to return something back to them.
  2. You can pay to have the cabinets put together, but they are easy and straightforward to do on your own. There is no cutting involved unless you order a pantry bigger than the kitchen’s ceiling. For example, we had to cut the bottom of our pantry to be able to lift it and set it upright. Make sure you keep in mind the room needed to straighten it and put right.
  3. Don’t buy the cabinets fixtures in the home improvement stores in your area.  There are small companies selling flooring, kitchen cabinets, and everything you need for your kitchen at a fraction of the cost you will be paying at these big home improvement stores.
  4. If you are redoing the kitchen’s ceiling, hire a contractor. If you are unsure about doing the plumbing on your own, we strongly recommend hiring a plumber to do it for you. Water damage can cost you thousands of dollars to fix if you do something wrong with the kitchen’s plumbing. Handymen have the tools, and experience to do a job well done in a short period of time. You will be saving time and money if you hire one to do the job.
  5. You can do the kitchen’s backsplash on your own.  If you and your partner do it together, it is much easier and faster than doing it alone. Don’t buy a cheap tile cutter, they don’t work well and you will be using a lot of tiles “learning” how to cut them.
  6. You can also replace the kitchen’s flooring on your own.  If you are unsure about what kind of flooring you want, you can visit your home improvement store and look at their selection.  Not sure how to install flooring? No problem, there are countless videos on YouTube where they can guide you step by step.
  7. You will save money by having a plan and a target time to finish.  Make sure you order things in the right order.  Don’t wait to order the sink late.  If you are buying a granite, marble, or stone countertop, the seller will need the sink to cut the right proportions on the stone.
  8. Replace your old dishwasher with a new energy-efficient one.  They are worth the money. You will be saving on the energy and water consumption the new dishwashers use to do the job.

Many homeowners do not wish to remodel a kitchen on their own.  It is hard work, it is a long process, messy, and can become expensive if you need to redo things. But, it can be very satisfying if you do it and you can do it at a fraction of the cost of a contractor. For all of you adventurous people that will try to do kitchen remodeling on your own, hire help when you are unsure how to do something yourself.  It will save you time and money.

5 Ways To Get Your House Ready to Sell

It’s time to move! Whether your job is taking you to a new city, you’re ready for a fresh start across the country, or you’re moving down the street for a few extra bedrooms, moving is a stressful, challenging time. As you prepare to put your house on the market, you have to be ready for strangers to traipse through your home at any given time. And most importantly, you need to impress them to get it sold. The following tips can make a big difference, and are sure to get that SOLD placard on your lawn in a flash.

1) Clean it up! It sounds simple, but a clean home is inviting, presentable, and gives potential buyers a look at the house in its most perfect possible state. Dust those ceiling fans, mop the floors, and make every surface sparkle. And don’t forget the outside – clean the gutters and power wash the siding.

2) Outdoors matter. Speaking of the outside, don’t neglect your landscaping. Plant a few flowers, pull out the weeds, and keep it freshly mowed for the best first impression you can give. We tell kids to never judge a book by its cover, but it’s unavoidable – everyone wants a pleasant looking home.
3) Fix everything. There would be nothing worse than thinking you have your house sold, but the deal gets hung up because of some needed repairs. It’s a buyer’s market, so make it easy on yourself in advance and replace those broken windows and the broken water heater. And that bright orange bedroom wall you love? Not everyone will, so repaint it a neutral white or gray before you leave.
4) Organization is key! Buyers may open up that forgotten closet or unkempt drawers, and if it looks jam-packed or messy, they might be led to assume there just isn’t enough storage space in the house. Keep it neat!
5) Make it inviting. Some of the smallest details matter a lot to buyers who are imagining what life might look like in your home. Get a new welcome mat, keep out just a few striking trinkets and artwork, and make it feel like home.

 

Basement Remodeling Advantages

Ohio Basement Remodeling –The Four Main Reason Why Every Homeowner In Northeast Ohio Should Consider Finishing Your Basement

Introduction To Ohio Basement Finishing

Did you know your basement can add some strong value to your home(if you remodel it correctly). Some homeowners look at their basement as merely “storage space”. However, it can be so much more than that.

We have four benefits of Ohio Basement finishing listed below.

1)

Did you know that a “finished basement” can add more space to your house? You could easily add one more bedroom by having your basement finished. Your finished basement will have (potentially) two forms of exiting the home, for safety. Do you have a window in your basement? That could be a second exit if done properly if the Ohio basement finishing is done properly.

You could easily knock out some of the walling and add a closet. That way one of your kids could call that space their own. A basement does not have to look and feel like a damp, dismel place to be.

This will require some work, but it could look spectacular once it is all completed. You might like it so much, that you want to call the space your own.

2)

It could also be considered a second(or third and fourth) bathroom, depending on how big your house already is. A remodeled bathroom is considered an excellent investment(even if it began as a basement). That adds more value if you decide to sell later.

3)

Basement remodeling is a great to avoid new construction zoning issues. Some places do not allow zoning permits and remodels (due to many factors). You might live in an area where the city ordinance prevents it. You may have some neighbors that get a little persnickety about things like this.

Remodeling the basement allows you to make changes(you want) without violating any laws.

4)

You can add in a rental unit by doing this. Now, that will have to be approved by the zoning commission in your area, but it has potential. You can rent the space out(if you are looking to make some extra money), and that person has place to stay for the time being. Just make sure you rent the space to someone credible and decent.

Home Maintenance Checklist For The Fall

There are many home maintenance chores we, as homeowners need to do before the winter months set in. Doing them yearly can prevent home repairs that can be costly, and time consuming. So, before the cold weather comes and you don’t feel like doing them, here is a 7 chore list that can help you get organized.

Call to have your furnace serviced. It is so important to have this done yearly, that is not possible to reiterate this enough. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a serious threat for you, your family and pets. Older furnaces specially need to be monitored to make sure they are working properly.

Clean the Gutters of your home. Leaves accumulate, and can cause blockages that can disrupt the flow of water. By cleaning them after the leaves fall every year ensures your gutters will stay clean, and debris free.

Stowing away your lawnmower and trimmers without servicing them, means you will have a hard time starting them next year. If you leave your lawn mower with gas in it, make sure you use a fuel stabilizer to keep your lawn mower engine’s free of excessive moisture and to prevent varnishing. You can buy an 8 oz. fuel stabilizer at your local Home Depot for $5.22 isn’t that cheap enough to avoid headaches in the spring?

Change the batteries in your smoke, and carbon monoxide detectors at home. A ten dollar expense can protect your family.

Make sure the drainage of your home is flowing the proper course. If water is sitting around the foundation of your home, then the drainage is not working properly. Make sure the flower beds around your home are not keeping water stagnate close to the foundation. That water will eventually find a way to the basement of your home if it is not properly waterproofed.

Trimming the shrubbery around your home will keep ants and other critters from finding a way onto the roof. Long branches from trees around your home can do damage to your house during strong winds, keep them short.

Stow away your garden hoses to avoid water backing up and freezing, causing damage to the pipes.

Prevention is the best way to avoid costly repairs to your home. Those yearly chores we must do every year, are a necessity, and can save you time and money if you are diligent. Inspecting the foundation, and roof of your home should be done yearly as well to make sure there are not glaring problems that you overlooked before.