Akron Today Magazine

Akron Lifestyle and Entertainment

House & Home

Shopping Around – The New Norm

Shopping around for items is normal, but many people are moving towards shopping for items and services that used to not be questioned.  Prices can be very different from one place to another depending on the vendor. And things that used to be a monopoly have a high degree of competition now.  This week I saw a friend on Facebook complain about a new medication he needed be $500 a month and not covered by insurance.  Within an hour he had people telling him how to get it for $60 and places he could maybe get it free (from manufacturer) and how to do it.

Facebook and other social media channels are helping people collaborate and share information to find better deals on things.  But are you looking for better deals when it comes to some of these things?

  1. Utilities – By shopping for utility providers, you can reduce your rate significantly.  Put when your contract is up on your calendar and reshop for it once it expires or your rate will go up and not one will notify you.
  2. Medical – The exact same procedure can be radically different from place to place.  Some people even find it cheaper to go to another country and have a medical vacation versus just taking the first offer on a medical procedure.  (Please do not shop around if it is an emergency though!)
  3. Auto Repairs – If you are one of those people still going to the dealer, you are paying too much for some things.  I do like the dealer for maintenance but not for big jobs unless it requires a specialist.  That said, this is one area asking around is very important.  Just taking the cheapest person to fix your car can be a nightmare.
  4. Prescriptions – Not only does the place matter, but there are programs that will give you a discount at your pharmacy, whether in Akron, Hudson, Fairlawn or Aurora.
  5. Cars – Sure we all shop around for cars already, but did you know if you know what you are looking for and you start calling dealerships (especially if you are a little flexible) you can get a great deal without ever setting foot on the lot (until you buy)?
  6. Entertainment – I cannot even say “TV” or “Cable” anymore because there are so many options for entertainment.  Do you just watch movies and tv shows?  You probably only need a streaming service.  The trick here is to know what you can’t live without and then shop around for the entertainment necessities and cut out the unused stuff.
  7. Insurance – If you got the best price on insurance more than a year ago, why have you not shopped it around again?  For example, we got a great deal on insurance a year ago and this year they raised the price about 30% for no reason.  Clearly the first year was a discount to get the business and they hope people will not move after year one and the price increase.  Time to start calling around.

I wish it was not such a hassle.  It is an unfortunate byproduct of our hyper capitalistic economy that businesses are always using gimmicks, specials and tricks to squeeze more money out of you.  You can either accept the games and pay more or you can manage your buying and pay less.  The choice is yours.

Winterize Your Home Before Fall

When Winter season is approaching, many people opt to leave their homes and visit other cities where it is warmer. If you are planning to vacate your home this winter, it is important you make preparations in the right way. The arrangements done should help you secure your property from theft and destruction. Preparations are easy and less costly. Various ideas are used in securing the house and all assets which are vulnerable to the falls. Here are useful tips that could help keep your home a better place to come back after the winter season is over.

Be proactive about your home sewage and plumbing

Heavy downfall is experienced during the winter season. Secure the pipes which are exposed on your compound. Alternating changes of temperatures could affect these pipes causing them to burst up. If you have a swimming pool or any other water spigots that are within your compound, consider cutting off water supply. On the last days, ensure sprinklers are dried of excess moisture using compressed air. Facilities like air conditioners must also be covered to keep off moisture from affecting the equipment.

Trim huge trees near the house

The weather experienced in winter is very harsh. There are frequent thunderstorms and winds. If there are trees that are positioned next to your house, this could pose a huge threat to your home. Accumulation of ice on branches causes them to break off. Hire tree companies that specialize in trimming and felling of trees professionally. They will help in trimming this vegetation thus reducing the risk of falling on your roof. Apart from trimming, cleaning of branches and leaves that have fallen is done.

Enclose the chimney

If your house has a fire point, ensure cleaning is done days before the winter comes. The chimney should be washed using chemicals that reduce acidic reactions on the surface. When cleaning is finished, chimney caps should be installed on top. The advantage of covering the top opening is to reduce any snow that falls into your fireplace. Corrosion is reduced, and your house stays in good condition during the period.

Decluttering Your Ohio Home

A common expression is that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.  It is safe to say that the opposite is true as well.  Have you seen when someone leaves a home and leaves many of their belongings in it?  Or how about going to a tag sale and seeing all the knickknacks which are on sale for a buck?  We should turn that expression around and say “One man’s treasure is many people’s trash.”

Unless you are very disciplined, you most likely have a lot of stuff in your home that you do not use.  The longer you have been there the worse it has no doubt gotten.

Decluttering your home will make it more enjoyable.  When you go on vacation one of the nicest elements is the lack of clutter in a nice, spacious hotel.

Decluttering will save you money.  You can sell valuable things on ebay or amazon and you can just throw away a lot of stuff.  This will save you money because the more you throw away, the more thoughtful you are before you buy new things.

Decluttering will help you stay more organized.  By only keeping things you really need and keeping things picked up and put away, your life will be simpler and more organized.

Decluttering will make it easier to sell your home or move.  The less you have the more show-ready your home is if you decide to put it on the market.  Everyone knows the more cluttered a house is the less desirable it is to potential buyers.  By keeping it decluttered, you can be ready to move without months of cleaning.

Tips for Decluttering your Akron Home

  1. If you have not used something for more than a year, either put it up for sale or throw it away.
  2. Keep a minimal amount of holiday / seasonal items for decorating.  Only keep what you enjoy the most.  This stuff has a habit of building up.
  3. Take care of papers, mail and deliveries right away.  Do not let stacks grow.  Whenever possible, store documents electronically and dispose of papers quickly.
  4. Know where your local recycling center is and have older documents you no longer need shredded.  This is often free if you know where to go.
  5. Don’t assign emotions to items.  Unless something truly gives you joy see it for the item it is and get rid of it if you do not need it.
  6. Don’t keep clothes you do not wear.  Donating them can give you a tax break while helping someone out.

This is a big start to living a fresher, cleaner and more clutter-free life.  Enjoy the empty space.

 

 

Basement Waterproofing in Akron

Northeast Ohio, including Akron, Canton and Cleveland, are full of older homes that have experienced wet basement issues over the years. Maybe you have a home that needs basement waterproofing services. If so, keep the following things in mind.

  • Do not try to patch a basement crack yourself – You might stop the water from coming into the basement temporarily but you could cause it to collect in the wall, and as it gets cold it can freeze and cause greater foundation issues.
  • Do not hire a basement waterproofer without checking out– This is important. Hire an experienced Ohio basement waterproofing company who has a proven track record and many years in business.
  • Look For Trust Factors – when considering hiring a company, do they have professional, branded trucks? Do they have a physical office? Do they have a high quality basement waterproofing website? Do they have good ratings with BBB, Angie’s List and Home Advisor? Do they return your phone call or email within a day or two? All of these are factors when considering the professionalism of a waterproofing company.
  • Testimonials – Do they have legit testimonials? Do they have before an after pictures? Are some of their testimonials posted directly from the public, and not just by them on their own website? Verifiable testimonials are one of the best ways to make sure they do a good job and you are likely to be happy with their basement waterproofing service.
  • Options – Some waterproofing companies are just going to push the most expensive options. In some cases, there are not cheaper options available. However, often the person doing a basement inspection can give you several options and pricing, along with the positives and negatives of each option.

These are all factors to consider when you are looking at an Akron Basement Waterproofing company to hire.

Outdoor Projects To Get Done Now

Summer is going by fast and it is time to start some outdoor home projects done before the Fall is here.  I have assembled this list of things to check out on your house while it is still nice out and getting things done is easier

Roof shingles- Shingles can be loose or missing which is a problem for water damage.  Having a handyman patch one area of your roof to prevent water damage later on can really save you money.

Power washing- Want to brighten up your home without repainting it?  Consider having it power washed to remove stains and mildew.

Tree Trimming – Tree branches with no leaves are easy to spot this time of year and now is the time to hire someone to remove those dangerous limbs.

Window frames and sills – As the cold comes back, you do not want to get caught with window rot and damage.  Fixing these will better insulate your home.  It may not cost a lot.  It could be as simple as adding new caulking but could also be whole home window replacements which can be costly.

Porch and deck repair – Don’t let some boards or steps go to long if they are getting soft or rotting.  These damaged parts of your porch or deck can be replaced and then have the whole thing washed and re-stained so the whole thing still matches.

Gutter Guards are  a good investment before the leaves start falling you want to consider gutter guards to keep leaves and debris out of your spouting.  You can replace gutters with built in gutter guarded spouting or you can buy sheets of screen to lay over your gutters to keep the big stuff out.

Repair Cement – Another thing to consider. If your driveway is getting uneven you can call a cement leveler and have them inject cement under areas of your cement pads to raise them up and level them out.

Every house is different.  This is a good time to do a repair inventory and call specialists to get the most critical work done while the weather is still great to be out there.

Outdoor Projects To Get Done Now

Akron area home maintenance is important and a lot of things are easier to do in the Summer.

Summer is slipping by and it is time to start getting some outdoor projects done before the Fall.  Here is a list of things to check out on your house while the weather is still good and it is easier to get these things done.

Gutter Guards – Definitely before the leaves start falling you want to consider gutter guards to keep leaves and debris out of your spouting.  You can replace gutters with built in gutter guarded spouting or you can buy sheets of screen to lay over your gutters to keep the big stuff out.

Tree Trimming – Now it the right time to spot dead parts of trees and hire a tree trimmer to come in and take those branches out for you.

Window sills and frames – Before the cold comes back you can get window rot and damage fixed to better insulate your home.  This could be as inexpensive as adding some caulking to whole home window replacements which can be pricey.

Porch or deck repair – do you have some boards or banners that are loose, or soft?  These rotting or damaged parts of your porch or deck can be replaced and then have the whole thing power washed and re-stained to all match.

Roof shingles can also be loose or missing which could cause water damage.  Having someone patch one area of your roof to prevent later damage which would be much more costly.

Power washing your home is a way to brighten it up and keep it fresh as well as remove things like mold or splatters which could lead to permanent stains.

Cement repair is another thing to consider.  If your driveway is getting uneven you can call a cement leveler and have them inject cement under areas of your cement pads to raise them up and level them out.

I know I like to have a priority list for our home of upcoming projects so we keep the house well maintained and keep improving parts of it as we have the time and money.  You should also have a mental list of what needs done and take advantage of good times to do them.  A well maintained home will often help you avoid more costly repairs in the future.

Cement Leveling in Akron Ohio

Ohio is full of wonderful trees and seasons that go from one extreme to another.  This frequently means that cement in driveways and sidewalks becomes uneven and slopped the wrong way over time.  This may not seem like a big deal unless the slopped cement is pushing water against the foundation of your home or not allowing water to run off in the right direction.

Over time, water that does not drain away from your foundation because of slopped cement or any other type of poor drainage will erode the integrity of your home’s foundation and cause water leaks in your basement.  Akron homes with leaky basements have a lower home value and can have a host of other expensive issues such as bowed foundation walls or black mold in the basement walls.

While basement waterproofing can be expensive, it is also possible that your home only needs better drainage to move water away from the home instead of into the home foundation, damaging the stability of the house.

How do you know if you need full basement waterproofing or just cement leveling (Also known as Concrete Leveling)?  Of course, most reputable Akron basement waterproofing companies will provide a free quote and advise you on what you need.  Keep in mind that if you are sure you only need cement leveled, you can call a cement leveling company and they will be able to fix your problem for a fraction of the cost.  However, if you have let the problem go for a long time keep in mind the foundation will most likely need repaired as well.  The quicker you address your water drainage issue, the less likely it will be a costly repair.

A dry, nice basement in your home improved the health of the air, the usability of the space and the value of your Akron home.  Take any leak in your basement seriously early on so that you can minimize your repair expense while maximizing your enjoyment of your home.

Replacing Heater and Air Conditioner

If your heater and air conditioner is working, but is old, how do you know it is time to replace it?

For several years, we knew our heater and air conditioner was old and inefficient, but because they worked, we did not replace them.  However, we also avoided using the air conditioning in the Akron heat because it was too costly.

Eventually we started to shop around.  The big advantage of replacing heating and air conditioning before they break is that you can take your time and shop for a good deal and not have to make a quick decision.

We were able to take about 6 weeks to talk with several Kent heating and air conditioning companies and we finally chose one that offered us 3 year financing without interest.  Had we needed to make an emergency replacement, we would have never found that deal.

Now we have enjoyed efficient AC in the Summer and it barely raised the electric bill at all.  A big chance from before when we would never use the AC for fear of adding hundreds to the bill.  I know now I will also dread allergy season in the Spring much less as we can keep the windows closed.

So if you are considering a replacement, you could save hundreds or even  thousands by not waiting till an emergency with your heater or air conditioner.

Estate Planning Pitfalls – 5 Things You Need

“I have a will. I am covered.”

If this seems like something you would say, you probably are not aware that you are not covered for 80% of the life events that you need to be. Yes, a will is important. But you are far more likely to have another kind of issue that a will does not address.

In this article we will walk you through four other documents you need to protect yourself, protect your family and minimize the costs and hassles that can be experienced by your loved ones in the event that you have a medical emergency or become incapacitated.

As you read this, do not feel overwhelmed. There are attorneys who specialize in setting these all up for you and are very experienced in making sure there are no gaps or errors. In the greater Akron area, call Boone Legal at (330) 968-6003 for help with these.

Here is the list of must-haves to protect yourself and your family:

  1. Yes. An actual Will is important for distributing your assets according to your wishes. If you do not have a properly made Will that clearly states where or who your assets should go to, the State of Ohio makes a plan for you, which may or may not comply with your wishes. It is also important to note that even if you have a Will, you will most likely still need to probate the Will when you die, which is an expensive and time consuming process. The only way to avoid probate is through the use of advanced estate planning techniques that are best discussed with an attorney. Call Boone Legal at (330) 968-6003 to discuss these advanced techniques so that your assets pass to your loved in the way that you desire.
  2. A Financial Power of Attorney (also called a Durable Power of Attorney)– This is very likely to be needed in the event that you become unable to make financial transactions for yourself. This gives someone you trust the authority to complete financial transactions on your behalf. This can include renewing car tags, filing taxes, paying bills, etc.
  3. Living Will – This is needed to specify your wishes in situations of medical treatment in which you are no longer able to express informed consent to a doctor. Often referred to as the “pull the plug” document, a Living Wills names an agent to speak on your behalf should you be unable to make life ending decisions for yourself.
  4. Health Care Power of Attorney- Similar to a Living Will, a Health Care Power of Attorney names an agent to give informed consent to medical treatment should you be unable to express consent yourself. A Health Care Power of Attorney grants a broader scope of authority than a Living Will and in Ohio, it is customary to have both a Living Will and a Health Care Power of Attorney in place.
  5. HIPPA Release – This gives someone else authority to access your medical records and find out information regarding your health. Without this, your family may be left in the dark if you are experiencing medical issues.

Many families need an additional document in place called a Trust, which allows for more privacy, flexibility and if properly drafted and funded, can even be used to protect and preserves assets for heirs. Even if you think your means are modest, a trust can help facilitate the transfer of assets and reduce the costs and losses of those assets.

Failure to have any of these can result in considerable loss of money, or time, or both. With a little advanced planning you can make sure no matter what the emergency is, your family can have the resources and access they need to make good decisions on your behalf and minimize the expense and frustration when you pass.

Boone Legal helps Northeast Ohio residents plan for all these things and have greater piece of mind for their own well-being and for their family’s future security. Call (330) 968-6003 or visit https://www.boonelegal.com​ to find out more.

Metal Roof On Your Akron Home?

Updating a home can be an exciting, but stressful project for any property owner. There’s lots of decisions to be made, like the color of a room or styles of kitchen cabinets. If your biggest concern is an old roof, consider a metal roof when making the final decision.

Metal roofs are known for withstanding years of wear and are lightweight compared to traditional asphalt roofing. They have a typical lifespan of 30-60 years and depending on the type of metal roof you choose, it can require minimal maintenance during that time. Some metal roofs available can have up to a 45-year limited warranty. Metal roofs can withstand 140 mph winds and can have minimal snow accumulation during the winter months as metal panels are patterned to be snow resistant and to have a firm, slippery surface.

Metal roofs reflect sunlight, keeping the inside of your home about 20% cooler. If you’re looking to cut utility costs, consider installing metal roofing with solar panels. Tesla recently released solar panel roofing that looks like typical tiles but has solar cells embedded throughout the material.

Metal roofs are a popular design attribution to any household. Colorful trendy metal roofs will make your home stand out from the neighbors and will give the property a fresh, new look. If your house gets too muggy in the summer, consider painting the roof a lighter shade as this will reflect the heat more effectively. For those who are more daring, a bright red or a deep blue could be the roof for you. Earthy tones like copper are also favored among homeowners. To make your house look more modern, consider a stainless steel finish. Consider the color of your home before choosing a bold look for the roof. Remember you will have the roof for many years before needing to replace it and something too bold and trendy now might not be in style in years to come.

When considering buying a metal roof or replacing the one you have now, ask yourself whether the cost of a metal roof is worth it. Metal roofs can, depending on design, cost you double compared to the traditional asphalt shingles. If this is a starter home and plan to sell in a few years, buying a metal roof might not be a financially responsible decision.

Another important factor to consider when installing a metal roof is the level of noise it will bring into your home. There is no reason why your home cannot be as quiet with a metal roof as with an asphalt roof. Consider insulation, fastening your roof, or a roof underlayment that will help keep the noise to a minimum. Also, consider an impact-resistant material when choosing the type of roof you like.

There are four basic types of metal roofing to choose from when deciding which one is the best alternative for you.

  • Standard seam ​– The most common type, are panels covering the roof and is fastened between the panels.
  • Metal slates​ – A great option for those who love the look of singles or tile roofing, as they are designed similarly.
  • Metal tile​ – An ideal replacement for concrete, metal tiles are easier to handle and aren’t as easy to damage.
  • Metal Shake ​– ​Wood shake roofs are desired by many people because of their rustic appeal, but the metal shake is a great alternative, with an authentic look that has the benefits of a steel roof.

Metal roofing offers plenty of options for the pickiest homeowners and even have room to brand out from the norm. No matter the style of roofing you choose, be sure to hire competent contractors who will help bring your vision to light.

LynAnne Vucovich is a journalist who studied at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. She has a passion for culture, community and cats.