House & Home
Earth Day 2013: 5 Surprising Companies Going Green
Filed under: House & Home, Technology, Going Green
By Alyce Lomax
Daily Finance
When one thinks of environmentally forward-thinking businesses, some companies spring immediately to mind: Whole Foods Market (WFM), Annie's (BNNY), Patagonia, Seventh Generation, and Method, for example, are all known for their commitment to being green.
However, there are other firms putting a lot of resources into planet-helping initiatives -- companies whose green tactics are far less recognized, and may even come as a surprise to you. Let's take a look at a few of these huge companies making huge strides:
Big Bucks Beauty - Top 10 Most Valuable Cosmetics Brands
Filed under: House & Home, Sex Sells
"Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick."― Gwenyth Paltrow
You would be hard-pressed to find a woman who doesn't have a lipstick, lip gloss or lip balm somewhere in her bag - and for most women, you may find all three.
No matter if the economy is good or bad, cosmetics keep selling, and for those who keep an eye on the industry, its all about encouraging us girls to have a bathroom cabinet bursting with multiple products.
The successful marketing of beauty has led to these companies to become the envy of the business world according to Brand Finance, with annual sales that are in the billions.So which brands are found in almost every bathroom across the country?
Improve Your Home's Exterior For a Quick Spring Sale
Filed under: House & Home, Real Estate, Your Home
How to Decorate Your Outdoor Rooms For Less
Filed under: House & Home, Real Estate, Shopping, Your Home
If you're like me, you can't wait until the weather is finally warm enough to move some of your activities out of doors.We all want to create a welcoming space outside; one that we'll be proud to invite friends and family into, but how do you achieve that glossy magazine look without blowing the family vacation budget?
Here's how to decorate your outdoor rooms for less.
Why Your Adult Child Just Won't Move Out
Filed under: Employment & Careers, Debt, Family Finances, House & Home
RateSupermarket.caThey're educated, they're motivated and.... they live in their parents' basements. This is the new reality for many new Canadian graduates who, in decades past, would likely be well on their way to homeownership, promotions and family life by now.
Studies have shown that today's generation of grads are facing steeper financial hurdles than those who precede them. Sky high tuition debt, a sluggish job market, and less purchasing power are some of the main factors behind this onslaught of delayed adulthood. In fact, taking inflation into account, today's new grads are actually making less than those in previous decades, despite a sharp increase in educated individuals.
According to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, the percentage of men and women aged 25 to 29 living with their parents doubled between 1981 and 2011. There's also been an increase in so-called "boomerang kids, who return to the family home after having moved out. In fact, almost a quarter of adults living with their parents have boomeranged their way back there.
Why are so many grads getting the short end of the stick? Let's break down the financial factors.
Earth Day 2013: 10 Ecofriendly Ways to Save Money
Filed under: Budgeting & Planning, House & Home, Shopping, Going Green
Earth month (and Earth Day) are annual reminders of what we can do as individuals to help Planet Earth.Since it's the only planet we can call home, it's worth the effort to keep it as pristine and sustainable as possible. And changing just a few bad habits can make a world of difference if we all decide to commit to those changes, once and for all.
For those of us who want to be more active in helping the environment, here are 10 tips that will save pennies and make sure the Earth is around a lot longer.
Want a Patio? Try Stamped Concrete as a Low-Cost Alternative
Filed under: Economizer, Family Finances, House & Home
By John RihaAOL Real Estate
A stamped concrete patio gives you the look and texture of a stone patio for a lot less than the real thing -- up to 50% less than the cost of natural slate or limestone. That's not all. Stamped concrete can mimic brick, cobblestones, cracked earth, and weathered wood. Add a bit of fun with leaf patterns, animal shapes, even dinosaur footprints. Best of all, a stamped concrete patio is low-maintenance: The "stones" won't settle over time, creating uneven surfaces, and there are no grout or joints that can open up to let grass and weeds sprout.
Home Improvements That Get Your House Sold
Filed under: House & Home, Real Estate
It took James Peterson only six days to sell his house for the full asking price. He did it, says Dallas-Fort Worth real estate agent Geoff Walsh, by making some strategic improvements that were key to getting the house sold. Walsh -- Peterson's neighbor as well as his agent -- advised him to upgrade the appliances and countertops in the kitchen, replace worn carpet and tile, and add some simple landscaping.In Peterson's neighborhood, where comparable homes sell in the $400,000 range, the investment paid off in a quick and profitable sale.
How much money a homeowner should put into enhancing a property for sale is a thorny issue. You don't want to spend too much, because you're unlikely to get it back. But you also need to make upgrades that will help your property compete in a crowded market.
When determining how much to spend, consider price range, region, and what comparable homes for sale in the neighborhood are offering. "You can overdo it for the neighborhood, and your home is not going to command a higher price as a result of [the home improvements]," says Matthew Coates, a Phoenix, Arizona agent with West USA Realty Revelation.
Coates suggests spending around 1 to 2 percent of your home's value for home improvement costs. That means, for a $200,000 condo, a seller would spend between $2,000 to $4,000 on pre-sale upgrades.
Sometimes the hardest part is knowing where to start, so here are eight home improvement ideas that can help get your home ready for the market for a minimal amount of money:
Spring Clean Your Car For Less With Brand Name Products From Dollarama
Filed under: Bargains & Freebies, House & Home, Shopping, Pop's Wallet
Once warmer weather arrives, those of us who own a car can't wait to wash all the winter grime off our rides. If, unlike myself, you're a do-it-yourself kind of person, you'll appreciate the brand name car care products now available at the dollar store at bargain prices.Here's how you can spring clean your car for less with brand name products from Dollarama.
Make Money While Downsizing
Filed under: Budgeting & Planning, Family Finances, House & Home
For many people, the most dreaded words and phrases are "spring cleaning", "clutter", "clean out" and "get rid of it!"Despite our affection for watching others go through the intervention of needing to clean up, renovate, clear out, de-clutter and in the worst case scenario, stop hoarding, none of us actually wants to go through with it.
But for a growing segment of Canadians, whether due to age or health, downsizing is a necessity.
According to Viraf Balliwalla, the owner of The Transition Squad, he saw a growing need to make the process easier. "My business started out as a way to help people move and organize, but as we've evolved we realize we're a project manager for those needing to downsize."
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