Category: Misc.

In today’s fast paced world and demanding economy, taking a vacation can seem like a time wasting luxury that no one can afford. What if you could make that vacation affordable, flexible and worry free? With Jones Resorts ownership, taking care of yourself has never been easier or more financially sound. Jones Resorts will take care of everything. Your only job is to show up and enjoy world class accommodations.

Here are three reasons why you should consider Jones Resorts ownership.

Affordability

Jones Resorts offers an opportunity to own your vacation for years to come. No more worrying about the rising costs of hotels. Don’t waste one more second wondering if you’ve wasted your hard earned money on poor quality rooms. You will never again have to second guess the cost of your vacation. A Jones Resorts ownership plan allows you to spend less than regular hotel rates for high end accommodations. You can even pass ownership to your heirs, ensuring affordable vacations for the next generation. Create memories that your children can enjoy for years to come.

Flexibility

Jones Resorts timeshare ownership doesn’t just entitle you to stay at one of their resorts in Palm Springs, California; San Diego, California; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; and Branson, Missouri. As a highly rated participating member of Intervale International, Jones Resorts ownership gives you the opportunity to exchange your vacation for some of the best accommodations in the world. In the mood for a golf vacation? Try the Jones Resorts in San Diego or Palm Beach. If theater is your thing, you can’t beat the Jones Resorts at Branson or San Diego. No matter which destination you choose, you will be guaranteed the fine quality of a Jones Resort.

World Class Accommodations

Forget about cramped hotel rooms or less than stellar surroundings. When you book hotels from home, there’s really no way to know what you’re getting into. With Jones Resorts ownership, you know exactly what to expect: spacious rooms, loads of amenities and stunning views. Entertainment venues await you just outside your door whether it’s golfing, fine dining, a theater experience or a day at the beach it’s all within easy reach of your gorgeous villa. Visit local parks and museums, enjoy a game of tennis or a day at the spa. Kids love Jones Resorts too with its water slides, classes of all kinds for every age and plenty of both on site and nearby activities . You’ll never run out of things to do and when you want a change, you can exchange your timeshare vacation for another fun filled location.

Now there are no more excuses for putting off that family vacation. The memories won’t wait so why should you? Below average price for above average accommodations and amenities, a predictable vacation cost year after year even if hotel rates skyrocket, plenty to do and the flexibility to change your destination when you want to. These are just a few of the reasons that Jones Resorts ownership is right for you. Take the worry and the stress out of your vacation planning and get that relaxing spa/resort vacation you deserve. Book a Jones Resort vacation package and see for yourself. You’ll wonder why you waited so long.

While it’s hard to resist the allure of freedom on the open road in a nice car, the unfortunate truth is that cars can require quite a hefty investment. Disregarding insurance and gas prices, the real problem is how expensive car maintenance has gotten over the past few years. Is there any way to save money on car maintenance so you can get back to experiencing the joys of the open road? As a matter of fact, there are several great companies out there right now that can help you to save tremendous amounts of money on car maintenance. Luckily for you, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to compile a list of four of them for your reading pleasure.

Maaco: Over the years, Maaco has built a name for itself by consistently delivering high quality repairs to the cars that it services. While their main focus is in collision repairs, that doesn’t mean they aren’t useful for car maintenance as well. If you’re interested in seeing what type of special deals they currently offer, it’s as simple as visiting their site and signing up for free information. Don’t be afraid of doing a little investigative work if it means you’ll save a large chunk of money in the long run.

Toyota: While this next one isn’t for everyone, those on the lookout for a new vehicle may want to take a look at Toyota’s no cost maintenance plan. True, it requires the purchase or lease of a new car, but consider the savings from not having to pay for proper car upkeep when deciding whether or not it’s worth the investment.

ShortCircuitRepair.com: As a car service repair specialist, Short Circuit Repair has made a name for itself in the San Francisco Bay area by providing top notch repair services that are as affordable as they are effective. In fact, their factory car navigation repair service is unique in that it offers customers a way to repair their navigation units without having to purchase a new one from expensive factories. This, of course, equates to huge savings for their clients. If you’re looking to save money on a navigation unit, and you’re in the San Francisco Bay area, then it’s probably best to start your search here.

Pepboys: At first glance, a national car maintenance chain may seem like it’s ready to take advantage of both your car and your wallet. In truth, though, Pepboys offers a competitive pricing plan that aims to take out its competition. Simply show them an advertised price by a competitor, and Pepboys will beat it by at least five percent. When it comes to car maintenance, five percent can add up to quite a bit of savings, and every little bit of saving helps when it comes to getting the most out of car maintenance.

With so many ways to save money, there’s no excuse to avoid taking high quality care of your car. Instead, take that saved money and treat you and your car to a nice night out on the town. With all of these savings on your radar now, we think you’ve earned a break!

Entire cable stations devoted to the do-it-yourself lifestyle have empowered homeowners to try their hand at becoming a contracting pro. This zeal to become the next Bob Vila has led to disastrous home additions, unsafe buildings, and homeowners with big bills and unfinished projects. Some projects are the perfect venue for the DIY culture. Other projects should be left to contractors and construction pros.

diy couple

1. Home additions and structural work: Erecting solid walls isn’t the only project required for a new addition. A homeowner must also deal with laying the foundation, getting the electrical system right, and even installing the plumbing. The number of responsibilities for a DIY home addition are too great to list and beyond the scope of the average homeowner’s skill set.

2. Replacing the plumbing: Old homes usually need new plumbing systems and new homes occasionally suffer from a burst pipe or a mysterious leak. Replacing one of the pipes under the sink is an appropriate DIY project. Replacing all the pipes in the wall of the bathroom is definitely something to leave to the professionals. What a hassle it would be to handle a giant repair job and close up the wall, only to find that a leak remains.

3. Security systems and alarm installation: Store-bought home security equipment might be easy to install, but it’s not going to be monitored and there’s no guarantee that the devices will keep thieves and criminals out of the home. If a homeowner chooses it, a professional system offers active monitoring as well as a system where everything is connected and part of a live barrier of security protection.

4. Repair or replacement of the electrical system: New wiring of any kind tends to be a project best left to someone who has experience with the complexities of home wiring schemes. Major rewiring requires observance of city building codes, and a homeowner won’t know these specifics. Additionally, improper installation of electrical wires could create a fire hazard in the home. Old wires are dangerous, but improperly installed wires are just as much of a danger to families.

5. Paving the driveway: Whether a homeowner chooses beautiful paving stones or a traditional slab of concrete, the art of a smooth driveway is a project that could take a homeowner months. Paving crews take no more than a few hours to complete the entire job and a homeowner won’t have to live without a driveway for months and months until the last paving stone is in place. A DIY driveway is an excruciatingly long project, even if a homeowner manages to get the job done without error.

6. Knocking walls down: The idea of an “open concept” floor plan is a popular topic in real estate and home improvement conversations, but this project could lead to disaster and a destabilizing of the entire structure of the home. A house is built with important beams and supports that must not be moved or cut. Doing so means that the house could collapse without warning.

Don’t destroy a dream home by starting projects that are too complex and which require professional experience to complete. Homes today have many safety codes and regulations that must be followed, and a DIY homeowner could get in trouble by trying to take on a project that’s too complex and dangerous.

We are all looking for ways to enjoy our time with family. There is no need to mortgage the house or travel on fancy trips. Sure it’s hard to get up and get out, but put down the technology and get moving together. Here are ten great projects that everyone in the family can enjoy.

Family

1. Grow Something: Building a garden or filling the planters with new life is so much fun. Kids love to get their fingers dirty and it is a wonderful chance to teach some valuable life lessons about caring for living things and watching those things produce food and flowers we all get to enjoy. Starting from seeds indoors is fun on a rainy day and cheap.

2. Build It: There are tons of simple plans online for forts, teepees or cardboard playhouses. It is amazing how much kids are craving to be a part of the imagination process and prefer our imperfect creations over the pristine store bought products. Kids can use paints or markers to give it their personal touch.

3. Leaves: Raking is not typically the project we look forward to. Turn this chore into family fun by making a game of tag using the piles of leaves as the safe base. Stuff canvas bags with the leaves and make scarecrows for your garden.

4. Chickens Are Fun: So many urban neighborhoods allow chickens. If you are up to the commitment, make a project to build a chicken coop. Together your family can raise the chicks, feed and water them daily and harvest their eggs when it is time.

5. Wash Everything: At least once a year it is a great idea to wash down the patio furniture. Drag out the buckets, scrub brushes, dish soap and get the kids involved. Kids love anything that involves a water hose! Also wash down the kids’ outdoor toys and have them feel responsible for the care of their own things.

6. Birds: Home improvement stores often have an hour course for families to build their own birdhouse from a kit. Build a bird house from a kit or from scratch. There are very simple bird feeders you can make with a peanut butter slathered pine cone rolled in birdseed.

7. Crafting: Painting tea towels or t-shirts can be an inexpensive craft for the family to enjoy and feel proud again every time your helpers dry the dishes. Lay out stamps, stencils, paints, brushes and pictures for inspiration.

8. Experiment: Create a lab experiment to solve a problem or answer a question. Many websites and books out there make this very easy to get started. Encourage kids to use the scientific method and track their findings.

9. Cookies: Or any kind of cooking that can benefit from an assembly line. Of course the measuring and mixing is fun for the kids, use fun shaped cookie cutters, then decorate with icing and candies.

10. Help Others: Volunteer a day at a soup kitchen or make parcels for soldiers overseas. Remembering how lucky you are to be a family is a great feeling.

Family time is so precious and can be free and fun. Don’t forget to keep your camera handy for family project day and make it something everyone looks forward to.

Once you transition from a renter to a homeowner, you realize that there is always a project to complete. From painting a bathroom to that curious foundation crack in the basement, the Internet and home improvement stores have made it easy to DIY. You save money and learn a little something at the same time. However, there are some projects that are perfect for the DIYer, while others rank as “professionals only” territory.

Remodel

1. Home Remodeling Nightmares
If you are planning on remodeling your kitchen, for example, the task is often full of possible nightmares. A wall you want removed could be load-bearing, causing structural issues. Improper measurements could culminate in a kitchen island too big for the space. Even plumbing issues arise if a valve or pipe breaks during the tear-out portion. Any major home remodeling is best left to the experts. The project will be completed quickly without any headaches on your part.

2. Painting Is A Breeze
Definitely plan on painting your own home. Unless you need to paint the exterior of a three-story structure, a painting project is simple when you take the proper steps for preparation. Clean the walls of grease and debris. Make sure you primer the walls and select a paint that works for your room’s style. With matte and glossy colors available, there are a rainbow of colors to choose from. Tape off the edges of the painting job to make a clean line with the rest of the room. You’ll feel proud that you could complete such a satisfying job.

3. Room Additions Need Professionals
A complete construction of a room added onto your existing home is definitely not a DIY project. Along with proper permits, you need a sound foundation poured for safe support. The new walls, ceiling and roof need to be square and connected correctly to the existing home for continuity and structural integrity. Also, make sure to have appropriate house floor plans. Even if there is only a small bathroom to add on, a contractor is still needed to truly construct the project correctly.

4. Fixture Replacements
Don’t be afraid of your plumbing. Although a major pipe clog should encourage you to call a plumber, basic fixture installations are relatively simple. The key is to turn off the water. You do not want any spills or floods ruining your DIY project. Each faucet should have an individual valve hidden under the fixture. If you cannot find the valve, or it is broken, simply shut your main water valve off. You are able to remove the old fixture and add the new one at this point. Always make sure that any gaskets are properly seated to avoid any leaks when you test the system. You’ll be pleased with the new fixture look.

5. Garage Door Woes
You may lubricate your hinges and wheels on the garage door, but major repairs are best done by a professional. The large spring that extends horizontally above the door is called the torsion spring. It is a tightly wound spring that supports the door’s weight. At about 10 years old, the spring snaps. Only a professional should replace this spring because it can snap at you, causing severe injury.

Being a DIYer brings you satisfaction of a job well-done. Choose the proper projects around the home to stay safe. Understanding when a professional is needed allows you to save money, time and avoid injury.

For homeowners who are considering a remodel, the bathroom is often first on the list. Outdated design elements and fixtures that are showing signs of wear and tear will begin to take their toll on the entire family. To ensure a successful bathroom remodel, there are a few fundamentals to keep in mind.

A Rock Solid Plan

A working set of plans is critical. As small and manageable as a bathroom remodel might seem, it’s a combination of all building trades, and the project needs to be well orchestrated in order to be a success.

Whether you hire a designer, contract a builder with design experience, or you’re able to draft the plans on your own, be patient and cover your bases. Avoid the temptation to bypass the planning stage.

Schedule Your Time

We all have shortcomings when scheduling a home remodeling project. Typically this is reflected in our time estimates. While it’s easy to make promises about getting things done quickly, it’s better in the long run to be honest with yourself.

Bathrooms, and plumbing projects in general, are a tricky project to schedule. If you’re living in a home with only one bathroom it makes sense to get the family out of the house for the duration of the project. Reinstalling a toilet at the end of each workday is a colossal waste of time and energy. With an empty house, there are no distractions and the remodel will go much more smoothly.

Finish work will always take longer than expected. Never put yourself in a situation where you’re rushing finish work in preparation for the family’s return. Always give yourself a buffer and don’t waste it on long lunches and afternoons fishing. Schedule your time wisely, and everyone will be happy in the end.

Embrace Innovation

It’s enough that your bathroom is outdated, don’t follow the same path when considering your design options. Innovations in materials, accessories, and fixtures offer homeowners wonderful opportunities when remodeling.

Don’t settle for a particular method or material, simply because it’s in your comfort zone. From the latest in laminate flooring to green fixtures with an eye on the environment, there’s a whole new world of products available for your bathroom remodeling project.

Learn To Browse

If you’re a DIY enthusiast, it’s probably a given that you understand the fundamentals of a bathroom remodel. That being said, take the time to explore the latest trends in home renovation and remodeling.

Whether it’s watching DIY programming on cable or flipping through a selection of magazines, take in as much information as you can. There is an amazing amount of talent out there, and there is nothing wrong with tapping into their thought process.

Build on your fundamental knowledge by taking cues from leading designers and DIY experts. Your family will appreciate your open-minded approach.

Know When To Call The Pros

Whenever there is a question about your ability to tackle a project, never be hesitant to call a professional. If you’re concerned about the budget, try and imagine the cost when a professional has to gut your work, before they begin their own.

Remodeling an outdated bathroom can be a rewarding project when you’ve approached it the right way. Never take the size of the room for granted. While bathrooms might be small, they still demand the same attention that any other project does.

With a DIY project, you can fix up your house the way you want, without spending all your money. While true, it’s not always a wise decision to do the project without help. Think about it, if you are not an expert, you can commit serious mistakes and end up injuring yourself. With this in mind, here are six DIY projects you are probably better off leaving to an expert.

Second story addition: If you own a home and want to build a second story, you will want to hire an expert. Not only will an expert contractor do the job right the first time, but he or she will make it look amazing. Otherwise, if you try this on your own, you will struggle as it’s not easy to add a second story. Not only that, since city inspectors will surely want to inspect your place, you will want to hire a qualified individual who does the job right the first time.

Electrical: When you want to add an electrical outlet, you need to call an expert. While it sounds easy to buy parts and install them on your own, it’s not wise. No, with one false move, you can render your entire electrical system useless. Of course, this is not the worst possibility. If you make a mistake, you can shock yourself and end up in the hospital. So, rather than trying to save money on this, you need to hire a professional to do electrical work.

Roofing: While it sounds easy to crawl up on your roof and replace panels, it’s not. It is a difficult process that is much more than just a sheet of wood on top of some more wood. It is a design that can take all kinds of thought and work. In reality, when you need to get on a roof, you are at an increased risk of falling. Furthermore, since a new roof is important to a house or garage, you will want to hire someone who does it right the first time. In the end, by finding an expert, you will enjoy peace of mind and save yourself plenty of time.

Foundation repair: Foundation problems are usually serious and merit a look by a professional. Unless you have years of experience in foundation work and repair, hire an expert. Otherwise, if you don’t do it right the first time, you are out of luck. Much like with a second story addition, you will also need to deal with local inspectors. Luckily, if you find an expert in foundation repair, you won’t need to worry.

Landscaping: If you want to throw a few flowers in your yard, you can do this on your own. On the other hand, if you want a landscaped yard that captures the attention of neighbors, hire an expert. With a landscaper, you can enjoy your yard all the time as he or she will know exactly how to set up your yard.

Plumbing: If you want to fix your toilet, go ahead and do it on your own. But, if you want to install new lines or delve any deeper than basic plumbing projects, hire an expert. Not only will an expert get to the root of the problem quickly, but a plumber can also save you money when they spot other potential issues.

While it’s fun to work on your own house, you need to hire a professional for some tasks. In fact, with these six tasks, you are better off finding a qualified contractor to complete the job.

If you are in the process of a kitchen home improvement project, you can keep your renovation budget low by doing the labor yourself. Some more complex projects will require professional installers, but if you want to completely transform your kitchen with a beautiful new tile floor, follow these 10 steps and get the process done on your own over a weekend with little to no help.

kitchen-nice

Step #1: Remove Old Flooring

Remove your old flooring. If the flooring is adhered to your concrete base floor with adhesive, use gloves and a face mask and apply a decent amount of adhesive remover. Give the remover time to set in and use a scraper to remove all of the glue. Once the area is cleared, give the concrete time to dry before starting the new flooring installation process.

Step #2: Set Out Tiles to Grid Out Space

Lay out the tiles on the concrete flooring once the floor is dry to grid out the space and to verify that you have enough tiles to cover the entire area. When you are creating your grid, you can also determine what cuts will need to be made to achieve the pattern design you have chosen. Be sure to use spacers when you are creating your grid so that your spacing is accurate. Make sure that you have extra tiles and scrap pieces just in case a tile breaks or needs to be replaced later down the line.

Step #3: Preparing Thinset

Start by mixing thinset mortar into a peanut butter-like consistency. You will probably need two gallons of thinset, but make sure you only mix as much of the mortar as you can apply in an hour because the mortar will dry. It is best to mix half of the thinset, apply, and then mix the remainder once the first backer board is installed.

Step #4: Applying the Thinset on the Linoleum or Concrete

Use a trowel and scoop a good amount of thinset to apply on your linoleum or your concrete. Hold the trowel at a 45 degree angle, with the notched side down, and smooth the mortar over the floor in an area big enough to cover the size of your first piece of backer board. Once you complete step #5, you will repeat this process for every piece of backer board your have.

Step #5: Installing the Backer Board

Now, slowly set the backer board down on the wet thinset so that you can make any modification before the mortar dries. Once the board is flat on the thinset, follow the guide lines on the board and screw the board into the flooring. Repeat step #4 and step #5 until all of your backer board is covering the entire area you will be tiling.

Step #6: Lay Out Two Rows of Tiles

Now, lay the first row of tiles, with spacers, over the backer board. After you have your first row laid in the pattern you have chosen, lay a second row perpendicular with the spacers. After these rows are laid out and cuts have been made with the appropriate saw, you can begin the installation process of the tiles.

Step #7: Apply the Thinset

Mix another batch of thinset in the same consistency as the prior batch. Remove the first row of tiles and spread mixed thinset with the same notched trowel at a 45 degree angle.

Step #8: Laying the Tiles

Now that the thinset has been applied, lay down tiles carefully and insert the spacers after each tile has been laid. Complete laying the entire first row of tile and make any necessary adjustments while the thinset is still wet.

Step #9: Clean Tiles While Wet

Cleaning the tile once the thinset has dried can be extremely difficult. Because of this, you should take a wet rag and clean the thinset off as you are working. After you clean the first row, repeat step #7 and #8 with each row until all of the tiles have been laid.

Step #10: Grouting the Flooring

Remove all of the spacers. You will then fill this area in with grouting. Following the instruction to mix your grout, use a trowel, and pack the substance into the space and scrape the excess off.

Install your new tile floor all by your lonesome and save money on the renovation. With all of the right supplies and a little motivation, you can completely transform your kitchen and take pride in the floor that you installed without any help from the professionals.

Are you having trouble with your front door? Whether it’s got some rot on the bottom and sides or you just want something a bit more stylish, we can help you. Here are the basic essentials of installing that front door correctly. You should be able to do it yourself with minimal help in true DIY fashion.

white-door

Here are some basic tools you will need to finish this project:

A cordless drill
Pry-bars
Pliers
A hammer
A reciprocating saw

1. Get the proper measurements so that you order the right sized door. You want to pull the molding off from around the door on the inside of the house so that you can get an accurate measurement. Measure the width and the height of both the existing door and of the opening. You will need these measurements to purchase the correct door. Be sure and check to see if there is a sill above or below the floor.

2. Go to the store and make your purchase, or order it online if you want something special. Make arrangements to get it delivered if you’re not lucky enough to have a pickup truck available to you to just bring it home right away.

3. Double check the new door’s measurements with the old door before you begin painting. This way you can bring it back to the store for an exchange if there’s a problem. If painting or staining the door, be sure and use sawhorses and not waiting until it’s hung to paint it. Trust me on this. It will be much easier.

4. Take the door off by removing the hinge pins or by just taking out the screws from the hinges. Remove all molding and begin releasing the frame. The best way to get the frame off is to cut through it with the saw about halfway up a side, then you can pry out the frame and remove it beginning on the cut side, then the top, then the other side. Remove the sill as well.

5. Now it’s time to install the new door. Remove all packing from around the door and any screws that may be holding it shut and set it into place. The help of a friend may come in handy around this point. Keep the frame on the side with the hinges plumb and place a screw in each hinge to hold the door in place. Check the top and bottom gaps to make sure they’re even. Shim the other frame side and put three screws in it to keep the gap even from top to bottom. You can place these screws behind where the seal will go to hide them for appearance sake.

6. Install the door knob using the provided instructions. Since it’s a front door, it should have a second hole for a dead bolt. Install it.

7. Molding is your last step. Sometimes you can save the old molding to re-use, but if rot was the case you will need to purchase new molding and cut like the old molding was and install with some finishing nails. Paint it or stain it to match the door.

If you followed all of the above steps, you should now have a brand-new door that you installed yourself and it looks fantastic. Congratulations on a DIY job well done!

There are many different types of outdoor tiles to choose from but not all the tiles have the best properties and same features. Every tile style is different from each other. Thus you need to be wise when buying outdoor tiles for your property. Outdoor tiles have great impact on the outdoors, because they give true value to your property. Assume if the outdoor is not attractive you will get an impression that the indoor too won’t be attractive. And moreover the weather outside could cause a lot of damage to your outdoor tiles and can create big impacts on them, so here I have listed 5 things that you need to consider when buying outdoor tiles for your property:

glass-mosaic-tile1) Check if your vitreous tile absorbs less than 3% of its weight in water. If you are buying an impervious tile, it should absorb less than 0.5 % of its weight in water. Make sure that you select porcelain or natural stone tiles under these styles.

2) Make sure that you select smaller tiles because bigger ones are more difficult to lay on uneven surfaces which are often found in outdoor of the property. Also make sure that you select an appropriate design according to the outdoor space of your property.

3) Try to select a non-slip tile style for your outdoors. You don’t want to put your lives and possessions in danger right. So you obviously wouldn’t select smooth and slippery tiles for your outdoor placement. In order to make sure that you outdoor tiles are non-slippery, look for a rougher texture for example dimples and less polished finish would confirm you that your selected outdoor tiles are really non-slippery tiles.

glass-mosaic-tile-24) Let the shop dealer know that you want a tough glaze on your non-porcelain ceramic tiles to ensure that you get extra durability. This should ensure heavy-duty performance and ease-of-use both. Also consider going for dark colors because light colors would get dirty much easier due to weather conditions or other situations.

5) Be sure to select standard sized ceramic floor tiles which measure at 30cm x 30cm. These outdoor tiles are the least expensive ones available in the market. Only porcelain tiles and larger tile formats would be priced too high, while glass mosaic tiles are also very expensive.

So if you are really not on a spending-spree budget, go for standard ceramic tiles or if possible, buy porcelain tiles.

These are just some of the things that you may want to consider when buying outdoor tiles. Always remember that you have to be practical when choosing one. You should not just rely on the design, when it is not in best quality. Neither should you rely on the styles, when it does not really match your entire house, otherwise it would look awkward and drab.

Did these tips help you in buying ideal outdoor tiles for your property? Share with us your experiences! Let us know it the comments!