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10 Spring Cleaning Tips to Make Your Life Easier

Quicken Loans Guest Blogger — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:00:42 +0000

Despite the chill that still lingers in the air, spring is here. Whenever I hear the word spring I almost always associate it with cleaning. And as much as I really despise cleaning, dusting off the dirt and polishing things up puts a smile on my face. For many, it means it’s time for a fresh start. Spring cleaning is no small task, though. In fact, it can often turn into a huge beast of a project that some of us may give up on. To make your spring cleaning adventure a little less painful, I’ll share a few tips that always help me tackle my dirty house.

Make a list of what needs to be cleaned in each room.

Lists help me stay organized – especially if I have a huge project, like spring cleaning, on my plate. Before I even get started, I walk through each room and write down what needs to get done. Writing a list out also helps me make sure I have all the cleaning materials I need before I get started, saving me tons of time later. It’s a pain in the butt when you have to stop everything to run out and buy more carpet cleaning solution.

Make your playlist.

I have a cleaning playlist that includes the Black Keys, Boston and the Rolling Stones. Listening to music while I clean just seems to make things go by faster. Of course, you don’t have to make a playlist; you could always just turn the radio on to your favorite station.

Get a trash and donate box/bag.

As you go through each room, make sure to declutter. Throw away old magazines and papers from the previous year. Put items you no longer use or need, like that book you bought 10 years ago but never read, in the donate box. Once you’re done cleaning your whole house, itemize your donate pile because you may be able to deduct those donations on your taxes.

Work on one room at a time.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you want to clean your entire home all at once. Try writing down all the rooms in your home on a piece of paper and checking each one off as you go. If you can work on at least two or three rooms each weekend, you’ll get a lot more done and still have free time on the side.

Set an amount of time to work on each room.

I know I can get easily distracted, looking at items I'd forgotten or old photographs, and before I know it I’ve spent the entire day cleaning just one single room. Set a timer so you don't fall into this trap. You can also use the timer to give yourself a little break here and there. Much like a list, it helps keep me on track. Trust me, I get easily distracted.

Get some help.

Don’t do all the cleaning yourself. Recruit your kids, significant other or roommates to help you out. I know that when my roommates and I pitch in together to clean the kitchen, it takes about half the amount of time that it takes when I do it myself. To be honest, if those who live there make the mess, they should also help clean it.

Start from the top and work your way down.

This is just the law of gravity – clean from the top of the ceiling to the floor. Knock all the dusty cobwebs from the corner, wash the curtains, clean the windows, dust the furniture, vacuum the furniture and finally vacuum the floor.

Use natural cleaners.

Many chemical-based cleaners emit hazardous fumes. Some cleaners when mixed together can even emit toxic fumes that can seriously hurt you. Vinegar is a great substitute to use in your bathroom or kitchen and as a general household cleaning solution. Although it sounds crazy, vodka can also substitute for chemical cleaners. My grandmother had sworn off “newfangled” chemical cleaners some years ago. She only cleans with vodka and vinegar. It makes sense, though, because the acidity of vinegar is extremely high at a pH level of 2. A study in the Journal of Environmental Health found that vinegar is comparable to bleach when killing harmful bacteria like E. coli.

Be patient.

My dad always told me to work smarter, not harder. Take your time and let grimy surfaces, like the ones in your bathroom and kitchen, soak in your cleaning solution. Work on something else on your list while your cleaner does the hard work.

Reward yourself at the end.

For me, having something to look forward to at the end of a long day of cleaning sure makes things go a lot faster. Plus, you worked hard and deserve it. Treat yourself. OK, so these ideas won’t make all the dirt magically disappear, but the tips above can make the process a little less agonizing. Just remember to pace yourself. You don’t have to do everything in one day. Want more spring cleaning inspiration for your home? Check out these helpful tips for cleaning up the outside of your home. What kinds of things do you do around the house to get ready for spring? Share what you do with other readers! Krissy Schwab is a writer at Quicken Loans, focusing on sustainable living, home, money and life for the Quicken Loans Zing Blog.

Minimize Your Gas Bill with 5 Toasty Alternatives

Quicken Loans Guest Blogger — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:00:44 +0000

My almost-2-year-old son is a fabulous singer. His new favorite song is the Christmas classic “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” He likes to belt it out whenever we’re walking out to the car because it's winter in Michigan and, baby, it IS cold outside. The other problem with Michigan winter is that it’s pretty darn cold inside, too. And since we’re not millionaires, raising the temperature via central heating isn’t always the best option. If you’re in the same boat and you’d like to stay warm without going into debt, consider some alternative measures to keep yourself warm. Before you touch that thermostat, here’s how you can stay a little warmer without cranking up the heat.

Bake Something

Winter and fresh chocolate chip cookies go together like campfires and s'mores. A chilly day isn’t complete until you’ve baked up a batch of gooey chocolate chip cookies, mouthwatering brownies, cheerful confetti cake, rich red velvet cheesecake… oh sorry, where was I? Oh yes -- if you’re considering hibernation to cope with the cold, you’ll need to stock up on calories! Heavenly treats can warm the soul. (One thing to remember, though: While using the oven to bake may naturally help warm up your kitchen, don't ever consider using the oven as a space heater. It can pose a carbon monoxide hazard.)

Get Moving

Now that you’ve gobbled your fresh-from-the-oven baked goods, you’ll need to get some exercise. The best way to free your veins of ice is to get your heart pumping. Clean the house. Pop in an exercise DVD. Play “freeze tag” with the kids (freeze tag, get it?). Getting out from under the blankets when it’s cold in the house is a bit like jumping into an unheated pool, but once you’re in motion, chilly limbs will be a thing of the past.

Let the Sunshine In

Sunshine can improve your metabolism, up your energy levels, lower your blood pressure, and even warm your house! A room full of natural light can make the coldest home look and feel much, much warmer. Interior blinds are the perfect way to make the winter sun work for you. When the sunshine hits the window, open the slats to let the heat and light stream in. When the sun is gone, close the blinds to keep the heat in and the cold out.

Reverse Your Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans: Not just for summer. Once cooler temperatures hit, flip the reverse switch on your ceiling fan so that it moves clockwise. This way, your fan will force the hot air down to the floor. Your heater may therefore work more efficiently because the room will be more evenly heated. Just make sure to use a low fan speed to avoid drafts.

Stop Cold at the Source

You should’ve winterized your home months ago, but the good news is, it’s not too late. You can start by using caulking and weather stripping around your windows and doors to seal off leaks and prevent drafts. Check out my article on the Quicken Loans Zing Blog for more detailed information on winterizing your home. You’ll be amazed at how much warmer your home feels after just a few minutes’ worth of work. Saving on your heating bill doesn’t mean that you have to open yourself up to the possibility of frostbite. With a few simple changes, and a little bit of action, you can make it through the coldest of winters without letting your gas bill skyrocket.

Christine Bilger is a writer at Quicken Loans and she loves blogging about family, personal finance, and mortgage tips on the Quicken Loans Zing Blog.

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The “Am I Ready to Buy a House” Checklist

Quicken Loans Guest Blogger — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 11:00:19 +0000

If you’re considering buying your first home, you probably have a list of “must-have” features. It might be as simple as three bedrooms, two baths. Or maybe your checklist includes a breakfast nook, stained glass windows, a home theater and a claw-footed bathtub. Regardless, you’ve put a lot of thought into what you want out of a home. But many people fail to give that same consideration to their financial situation and whether they’re truly ready to become a homeowner. Many people are not quite ready for the financial responsibility of home ownership, and jumping in before you’re prepared can result in significant financial harm. So, how do you determine if buying a house is a good money move? Here’s a checklist of financial and personal goals to accomplish before you set out to buy that first home:

You’re a budget mastermind.

Were you born with the innate ability to manage a budget? Probably not. Budgeting skills have to be learned, and successful money-management is often the product of a lot of practice. If you’re a good budgeter, you:

Know where your money comes from, and where it’s going, each and every month
Pay off your monthly expenses without going into debt
Funnel a portion of your monthly budget into savings

If this sounds like you, you can check off this box!

Debt doesn't control your life.

Bear in mind that a mortgage is debt. It’s a great investment, but it’s still an obligation that you have to pay off. Before you buy a house and enter into more debt, gain control of debt you already have. High-interest debt should be your first target, and something you should pay down before you buy a house. But having some debt doesn’t preclude you from buying a home. For example, lower-interest debts like student loans and car payments can typically be managed alongside a mortgage payment. If you’ve worked the payment of these debts into your monthly budget, and you’re paying them off at a reasonable rate, you might be ready to buy your first home.

You’re ready to be landlord-less.

Landlords can come in handy when something breaks. They’ll get it taken care of, and foot the bill too! But when you own your home, you won’t have a landlord to depend on. When anything breaks or wears out, it will be your responsibility to fix it. And you’ll have to pay for it too. A lot of people gloss over this area of homeownership. Be sure you think honestly about whether you’re ready to take on that kind of responsibility.

You have a sizable emergency fund.

So how are you going to pay for those home emergencies? Every financially responsible adult should have an emergency fund. Not only will this help cover the cost of any home disasters, but it will help cover your mortgage payment and other monthly bills if you happen to get sick, lose your job, or encounter other unexpected events.

Your income is reliable.

When you take on a mortgage, you’re entering into a serious long-term financial commitment. You need to be confident that you’ll be able to afford your mortgage payment a year from now, 10 years from now and even 20 years from now. You should have a stable income as well as at least one to two years of employment history at your current job. If you have any doubts about your job or financial situation, don’t buy a house: not being able to afford your mortgage could have serious implications.

You have a decent credit score.

Most mortgage companies have a minimum credit requirement to obtain a mortgage. Getting a mortgage with a poor credit score may mean a higher interest rate, and that you’ll end up paying more over the life of your loan. Generally speaking, having a better credit score means that you pay less to own your home. So, before you become a homeowner, beef up that credit score.

You’re ready to make the commitment to stay in one place.

You should be able to live in the same place for at least five years. The graduate student who is looking to travel the world, for example, is not a good candidate for homeownership. It doesn’t make financial sense to buy a home if you’re not really ready to settle down.

You’ve saved for a down payment.

Most mortgages require a down payment. The larger your down payment, the less interest you’ll end up paying on the loan. If you can save up the thousands of dollars required for a down payment, chances are, you’re in a good financial place to make a home purchase. Buying a home is a serious commitment—and likely the biggest financial decision you’ll ever make—so it’s important to make sure you’re absolutely ready. If you’re able to check off this whole list, congratulations! If not, keep working hard to get your finances under control: homeownership may be in your future yet! Christine Bilger is a writer at Quicken Loans and she loves blogging about family, personal finance, and mortgage tips on the Quicken Loans Zing Blog.