Easy DIY projects that spruce up a home in no time

(BPT) - Give Dad a break from his "to do" list and instead handle some of those easier DIY tasks for him. From simple fixes to bigger projects, sometimes all you need is the right tool at the right time to get the job done.



Here are some helpful ideas to get you started.



Fix that door that won't stay open: Having a door that shuts when you want it to stay open can be a real annoyance. Try tightening the screws on the top door hinge with a power screwdriver like the new 360 Quick-Select from SKIL. This tool comes with 12 of the most commonly used screwdriver bits in a rotating compartment located at the front of the tool so you don't have to put your project on hold to switch bits.



Put together a ready-to-assemble (RTA) piece of furniture: RTA furniture looks like an easy project in the store, but once you get it home it can quickly get the best of you. But with a little patience and the right tool, the project can provide self-satisfaction besides a new piece of furniture. In fact, using a power screwdriver can help eliminate frustration and get the project finished even faster, plus you'll know each screw is secure to avoid anything falling apart later.



Give old furniture a new life: If the office desk is looking shabby (or maybe it's a table or dresser), give it an easy makeover. Use sandpaper to take off old varnish and help the new paint adhere to the piece. Wipe off any dust with a clean dry cloth, then apply 1-2 coats of fresh paint with a brush, roller or spray can. Let the paint dry thoroughly then seal with a coat of Polyurethane for a protective finish.



Update ceiling fixtures: Most of us don't realize how ceiling fixtures can quickly change the look of a room. Always turn the power to the circuit off before changing a fixture. Remove the old fixture by unscrewing the cover plate and disconnecting the electrical wires. Reconnect the new fixture according to the directions included in the box. Using a lightweight power screwdriver for this project will prevent your arms from getting tired while working above your head.



Day to day repairs: Keeping a power screwdriver in the kitchen drawer will let you make those little repairs as they happen. So when that drawer knob or towel bar comes loose again because the kids are forever pulling on them too hard, grab the power screwdriver out of the draw and get it fixed on the spot. Lithium ion batteries can stay charged for up to 18 months so the power screwdriver will be charged and ready when you need it.



SKIL Tools has all the tools you need to complete at-home projects whether you're a beginner or have advanced skills. Visit www.SKILTools.com/360 for information on the new 360 Quick-Select, and take advantage of the Where to Buy feature.

Ideas for small bathroom remodeling

Basic Design



While you plan to re-work the bathroom space, the first thing you need to consider is its design. While working on bathroom remodeling ideas for small bathrooms, try not to change the existing layout and plumbing. You can either add or reduce the elements, but avoid shifting the major elements. If you have a bathtub then you can consider adding a shower enclosure. With the required shower fixtures and a classic shower curtain, you can enjoy the soothing shower as well as the relaxing bathtub. Apart from this, add a wall hung vanity to the basin. Corner, wall hung basin is best to be added instead of pedestal basins that occupy a lot of space. Utilize the corner space as much as you can. If you are adding a shower stall consider using glass as this will not give a blocking effect.



Add Storage



Once the basic design is worked over, you need to add some extra storage here. Remember that lack of storage is sure to make your small bathroom look cluttered and messy. As mentioned above, add wall hung bathroom vanity that will not occupy the floor space. Make arrangements to place your towels, bathrobes, etc. Have a vertical mirror over the basin and add small shelves on either sides of the mirror. These shelves will help you place the toiletries. One of the best small bathroom remodeling ideas is to add more shelves and closed cabinets on a side wall where you can keep grooming essentials and other bathroom accessories.



Color it Fresh



Giving a fresh coat to your bathroom needs no mention while you remodel it. Browse through the remodeling ideas for small bathrooms and you will find a lot of lively colors covering the bathroom walls. While it is best to paint small spaces in lighter shades like white, peach, lemon yellow, you can consider adding spicy element with a hint of flashy shade. Go for wall texturing or add a dark shade between the light colors. If bathroom walls are covered with tiles, make sure you clean them and the grout thoroughly and make them anew.



Spice it Up



Once you have finished implementing the basic bathroom remodeling ideas for small bathrooms, it is time to spruce up the area. Add decorative accent pieces like potted plants near the entrance and empty shelves. You can use decorative show pieces, wall hangings and frames to play up the bathing area. Use colorful, scented candles and decorative candle holders to further brighten up the small bathroom remodeling designs.



With the aforementioned bathroom remodeling ideas for small bathrooms, get ready to have a great looking bathing space. Make sure you maintain uniformity in terms of colors to get the best effect while bathroom remodeling for small bathrooms. With latest bathroom fixtures that area available in classy finishes and designs, you can give a grand touch to the area. Fresh and bright colors will help give a lively look to the bathroom designs for small spaces. So when are you remodeling your small bathroom?



by: Mamta Mule

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_7148.shtml

Boost your home's curb appeal for a quicker sale

Selling a home requires a bit of marketing, some sweat and elbow grease, and a touch of luck. But even in a competitive selling market, it is possible to turn the sign in your front yard from For Sale to Sold so you can move on to your next residence.



First, look at your home as if you were a potential buyer. Drive up to the driveway or the front curb and park, carefully looking at the home as if for the first time. Make note of the beautiful aspects of your home, and also areas that could deter potential buyers. The outside of your home is the first image they will see, both in person, and while pre-shopping online.



One maintenance project to tackle that will really spruce up the exterior of your home is refurbishing the outside woodwork that has been weathered by the sun, rain and snow. If you have a front porch, wooden window edgings or even a back deck, chances are these areas could benefit from new stain for a refreshed and clean look.



Home decks return about 70 percent of their original cost back to homeowners when a house is sold, according to Remodeling Magazine's annual Cost vs. Value Report, but that's only when the decks are kept in top shape. To remove moisture and sun damage and protect your exterior woodwork from further damage from moss, mold and rot, Flood wood care offers an entire wood care system from prepping materials such as deck cleaners to stain. Before prepping your deck, consider if you need Wood Finish Remover to remove latex, oil, semi-transparent and solid stains, or if your deck is unstained, you may need Wood Brightener/Cleaner to bring the old and faded gray coloring back to a fresh new wood appearance. Finally, apply a Flood wood stain to your deck and woodwork to give it a beautiful look that will have home buyers and your neighbors impressed.



In addition to your exterior woodwork, also take a look at your siding and gutters. Vinyl and aluminum sidings can collect dirt and look dingy after a season or two. Use a power washer on the siding and gutters to wash away the grime and spider webs and bring some vibrancy back to the outside of your home. Also consider adding season-appropriate flowers, plants or landscaping or replacing gutter downspouts with decorative chains to give your home an artistic look.



Finally, take a close look at your exterior lights. Glass-enclosed lights can become filthy from all the elements, so take a quick moment to wipe them clean with glass cleaner. If your light fixtures are tarnished, or looking run down, purchase a can of spray paint in any complimentary color to the exterior of your home and freshen them up. It will make your lights appear new in no time at all.



These quick-fix projects will boost the look of your home both for prospective buyers arriving at your front door, and also in the photographs visible online. With this better exterior appearance, chances are you'll be able to sell your home much quicker.

The marriage merge: Practical tips for combining your lives

Your wedding is sure to be the happiest day of your life, but marriage stretches well beyond those 24 hours. Merging your lives as husband and wife starts even before you say your "I do's" and will require some effort and patience - which will be good practice for your future life together.



The technical side of getting married can be a little confusing, so seeking advice from friends and family is a good idea. However, there will be some questions that might need professional advice, so don't be afraid to consult the pros when necessary. As you start your journey through life together, keep these key tasks in mind to make sure you're well prepared.

* Discuss your finances. Having an open and honest discussion with your fiance about finances is very important, and it should include the bad with the good. Because you'.re getting married, you'll be with each other through thick and thin, so having a forthright conversation about money ahead of time is a good idea. If you have debt, discuss how much and how you'll pay it off, but you'll also need to talk about things like creating joint accounts, as well as how and whether you want to divide or share money.



Understanding your credit portfolio and status as well as protecting against identity theft should also be part of the discussion - and credit monitoring products like the Equifax Complete(TM) Family Plan enable married couples to see alerts for each spouse's accounts when changes occur to their credit files, helping to keep track of potential impacts to their credit histories while detecting potential identity fraud.

* Prep for taxes. Married couples can file taxes jointly or separately, and you'll need to consider which approach is the best option for you. Seek the advice of a tax preparer or financial adviser who can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages and the adjustments you'll need to make for your W-2 form. Keep in mind that if you're married before December 31 of the year for which you're filing taxes, you qualify as having been married for the entire year.

* Talk about bills. As much as you can count on taxes, you can also count on bills. Whether they're monthly, quarterly or annually issued, you need to figure out who will take care of which bills and where the money will come from. Setting up autopay can lessen the bill-paying chore list. You should also make sure that both spouses' names are on the appropriate accounts. Even if you use autopay, it's important to check in on your accounts to make sure that nothing is going wrong.

* Make decisions about moving. If you're living separately prior to getting married, you'll need to decide which home you'll live in. For some couples, this might mean selling a house, while for others it might mean leaving rentals behind and looking for a home to buy. When you're discussing homes and moving, talk about how your feelings regarding moving away from your current home city, in case you're ever offered a job transfer opportunity.

* Get insurance in order. Meet with your insurance agent or agents to go over your current plans and add your spouse to them. There may be advantages to using one insurer for all of your policies, so if you are currently with different insurers, speak to each to see where you'll get the best deal. You should also explore your options for health care - one spouse's employer might offer a better plan than the other.

Taking care of these practical financial tasks might seem less than exciting compared to the thrill of your wedding day, but getting them done right is important. Since finances are a notorious source of stress, having a clear understanding with your spouse will ensure that you have a good foundation for your marriage.



For more information on tools to monitor your credit and help protect against identity theft, go to www.equifax.com.

Five modern bathroom design ideas

Would you say your overall design style is sleek and chic? Do you enjoy the true architecture of a space with its linear simplicity rather than an overly adorned and accessorized space? If you'd like to translate your modern vision into your Master Bath here are a few design ideas to help get you started.



1. Cabinetry - When it comes time to selecting the design of your cabinetry lean toward clean, crisp and streamlined furniture. To create a lighter and sleek bathroom environment consider cantilevered cabinetry secured to the wall creating a minimal look to the vanity piece.Create some drama with strip lighting added to the bottom side of the cabinet which will cast a warm glow to the floor below. Provide additional built in wall-to-wall storage elsewhere in the bathroom to compensate for the reduced storage in the vanity area. Deep dark rich woods evoke a sense of warmth to the clean lines of contemporary design.



2. Fixtures - Crisp clean and sleek white fixtures speak to the contemporary/modern design. If space allows introduce one of the hottest trends - a free-standing bathtub. They are available in all shapes and sizes, and nothing creates a more dramatic focal point in the bathroom than an exquisite free-standing tub. Simply position it in front of a spectacular picture window with a breathtaking view as the backdrop.



3. Surfaces and Materials - Utilize solid surfaces for countertops, whether quartz, limestone, granite, concrete or glass to give it a clean contemporary look. Keep the edges simple and square for easy maintenance and sophisticated style. Always introduce an interesting backsplash material in contrast to the counter top color and material. Whatever the surface I like to apply it on all walls from floor to ceiling. It creates instant architecture and adds great detail and drama to the space. Glass tile, mosaic, stone or ceramic details are just a few of the highly decorative backsplash products out on the market today that create a sense of modern style. Keep geometry in mind when selecting the material for your contemporary backsplash. Consider tile shapes that are rectangular, oversized, or small mosaics to create detail in the pattern of the application. If the tile is oversized and rectilinear install it in a brick pattern. If it's shape is longer and thinner then stacking the tile creates a very interesting modern vibe. Stay away from the common square tile in any size.



4. Luxurious Shower - Create a steam shower with multiple rain heads, and body sprays. If your budget allows, add chromatherapy and aromatherapy to your master bath wish list as well. These fittings represent the epitome of modern luxury design. Don't forget a built in bench and access panel to hide the steam system. Design a full seamless glass enclosure from floor to ceiling and finish the interior with complimentary mosaics or stone tile to set it apart from the rest of the space. This glass enclosure creates a more visually open space within the overall space.



5. Accessories - Remember to keep clutter and display to a minimum. - Accessorize with towels in a bright color for punch or stainless steel and woods. Keep everything to a minimum and clutter free. Select chrome, nickel or silver toned drawer/door pulls, towel bars, towel hooks and paper holders for sparkle. Frame vanity mirrors in woods or silver tones in similar finishes to the other accessories adorning your modern bath.



Draw the bath and enjoy the modern luxuries of your new space.



by: Lori Gilder



http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_6145.shtml

College graduates: Six financial survival tips for the working world

If you are a recent college graduate, there is much to be optimistic about as you leave campus and head out into the real world. No one ever says life on your own will be easy, but post-graduate financial bliss can be a reality. These six tips from Thrivent Financial offer a starting point for recent graduates who are ready to put their education to work for a secure financial future.



Get real about your paycheck

Compared to the minimum wage jobs you survived on through college, the annual earnings at your first post-graduate job may give you dollar-sign eyes. Don't be fooled though; after taxes, benefits, living expenses and student loan payments, your remaining monthly spending money could amount to less than half of your gross income. Being realistic about your paycheck doesn't mean you can't have any fun, though. That new car may have to wait a while, but with smart budgeting you can still enjoy the finer things in life with a clear conscience.

Your credit score matters

Thought you were done worrying about test scores? Think again. Whether you want to get an apartment, mortgage, car or a new job, your credit score says a lot about you and can make or break these important investments. Free credit reports are available at www.annualcreditreport.com, and for a small fee you can also obtain your credit score. Examine your report regularly for accuracy, and pay off any existing credit card debt as soon as possible. Credit card interest is wasted money, and outstanding debt can hurt your credit score.

Take care of yourself first

After expenses and taxes, your paycheck may look too slim for comfort, but protecting your assets, health and income is worth the additional cost. If you have an apartment, renter's insurance is a relatively inexpensive way to protect your possessions. Health insurance is also a must, whether you get it through your employer or stay on your parents' plan. Your paycheck is worth protecting, too. Disability income insurance is not just for those with physically demanding jobs, as most beneficiaries are on disability from illness, not injury. Preparation for the unexpected comes at a small price considering the costs associated with the alternative.

Save for the fun stuff

Again, being responsible with your finances doesn't mean you can't have any fun. You have worked hard to start your career, and deserve to reward yourself. The best way to spend smartly is simply to spend less than you have. Diligent saving allows for the occasional splurge without having to feel guilty or anxious about your decision to spend. Consider directly depositing a certain amount from your paycheck into a savings account for a "fun fund."

Save for the grown-up stuff, too.

Your parents' nagging may start to quiet now that you've graduated, but their retirement planning advice is worth listening to. Start investing now, you won't regret it. As you barely scratch the surface of your career, retirement seems a long way off, but successful investors understand that the longer your assets remain invested, the greater their potential for growth. The cash you forfeit now will pale in comparison to the amount you'll end up getting back at the end of your career if you start as early as possible.

Don't pass up free money

Many employers offer pretax savings through their retirement accounts. Because your retirement contributions come out before taxes, your taxable income is decreased, saving you money. For example, a $100 contribution from your earnings to a pretax retirement account would reduce your paycheck by only $75 if you're in the 25 percent tax bracket. If your employer matches a percentage of your retirement contributions, it is wise to contribute the maximum amount of their match so as not to pass up on "free money."

Money is just one of many aspects of adulthood that college graduates must meet head-on to start living independently. Personal finance may seem daunting, but don't be discouraged. The above-mentioned tips boil down to common sense: spend less than you earn, stay protected through proper insurance, maintain good credit and save for the short and long-term, and you will be off to a great financial start in the next chapter of your life.