How to Mow a Yard

Moving from an apartment to a house is exciting. Not only do you now have your own garage, you also have your very own front and backyard to care for. Your yard is very exciting, at least until its time to mow it for the first time. Here’s how to mow a yard.

Locate a Mower

Your first step in a successful mowing experience is to actually locate a mower to use. You may already own one in anticipation of this very day. You might be able to borrow one from a friend, family member or new neighbor, but don’t plan on making a habit of it. The old owners might have left one behind, but most likely your mowing needs are the cause of one of many trips to the home improvement store.

Buy a Mower

If you’re going to buy a mower, be sure you know what sort of yard you are working with – especially if this mowing experience is completely new to you. An average yard can be cut with a gas powered push mower. A self propelled mower helps with a yard that has hills or dips, or a larger yard, but is not required. Electric lawn mowers work best on smaller yards, and very large yards might be best cut with a riding or heavy duty propelled mower.

Buy Accessories

You’ll also need at least one additional piece of lawn equipment. A mower will cut 95% of the grass in the yard, but you need a weed eater or edger to go around sidewalks and objects in the yard such as metal yard art. A leaf blower and separate edger can supplement a weed whacker, but are not required.

Start the Mower

When you’ve assembled your supplies, read the instructions for your new mower or get help from its owner as to what fuel it requires. It’s likely it takes a combination of gas and oil, but read to be sure. Different mowers turn on different ways, but the most common push lawn mowers require a pull start. Push the prep button three to ten times to prime the mower. Then hold the handle down while pulling up quickly on the start cord.

It is common that a mower requires a few attempts at starting before the engine catches. If the engine doesn’t catch right away, don’t despair. Prime the engine again and pull. If the mower doesn’t catch in a few tries, consult with a friend or neighbor to see if you’ve missed a step.

Mow!

Once you get the mower going, hold down the handle and begin pushing it in rows over the yard. Overlap your rows slightly to avoid leaving a path between each pass. Go in straight lines to make your lawn appear manicured. If you are bagging your grass clipping you may have to stop to put the clipping in trash bags. If you’re mulching, you can mow your entire yard without stopping.

Trim

When the moving is complete, use your weed whacker to cut in on the edges you were unable to reach with the mower. Be sure to trim the grass along the flower beds, house walls, driveway, sidewalk and any other lawn objects. Then, put your equipment away, relax, and enjoy your manicured yard.

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How to Maximize Space in an Apartment

Apartments are often a bit short on space, especially in critical locations such as kitchens and bathrooms. Maximizing this space can be an exercise in patience or simply a task for someone ready to use their creativity to earn extra space and a bit of extra organization as well.

Maximize Space in an Apartment Closet

Apartment closets are often too small for all of your clothes. If this is the case in your closet, take the clothes that are currently out of season and store them in large storage bags or totes. You may be able to fit the totes on the top shelf of the closet or you can buy specialty totes that slide under the bed. When the seasons change, simply switch out the clothes you are currently storing.

You can also maximize apartment closet space by investing in a closet organization system. Find one that hangs on an existing closet bar so that you can take the system with you when you move on rather than being forced to leave it behind for the new tenants.

Maximize Space in an Apartment Kitchen

Maximize space in your apartment kitchen by eliminating waste such as a junk drawer. The items usually kept in a junk drawer can be organized into other areas by using gadgets such as a battery organizer, desk organizer, and a series of small containers to keep rubber bands, tie-tabs and other small items.

Store large kitchen items on top of the refrigerator or in a hall closet to leave the cabinets free for dishes and glasses. If you buy kitchen items or groceries in bulk, use the space under the table or above a washing machine to keep large boxes out of the way.

Maximize Space in an Apartment Bedroom and Bath

You can save space in an apartment bedroom by using shelves to store items up rather than along walls. You can also buy platforms for your bed to give yourself additional space for storage underneath. If you have a large bed, consider moving your dresser into the closet if it will fit to give yourself extra wall and traffic space in the bedroom.

In an apartment bathroom, maximize cabinet space, buy placing shelves inside the cabinet. You can buy shelves that don’t require installation so you can use them in other apartments down the road. You may also consider a series of stacking baskets for towel storage or a system of shelves or cabinets that can be arranged over the toilet. Again, look for ways to store up the walls rather than across them to maximize the height of the room as the width will be severely limited.

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How to Decorate a Small Patio

<Apartments and garden homes often come with a very small patio that can be challenging to utilize well. You want to maximize the use of your patio, but decorate it in a style that makes it inviting for sitting and relaxing at the end of the day. Here are a few tips on how to decorate a small patio.

Make Seating Count

Rather than cramming in inexpensive plastic chairs, make the seating on your small patio count. Invest in a petite table and two chairs that are sturdy and attractive. Think of bistro dining to get inspiration for the kind of table that might fit in a small space. If a table isn’t important to you, consider purchasing a garden swing to install into overhead beams or set up in a frame if one will fit. A swing can be a relaxing way to snuggle up on your patio, especially if you’re looking for a romantic feel.

Plant Quality, not Quantity

Large patios have room for plenty of plants, but small patios require a bit more finesse. Buy a handful of plants, and pot them in attractive containers. These plants are not only the greenery to decorate your patio, but can be conversation pieces as well, so choose something that appeals to you and grows well in your light and temperature conditions. Also consider the use of plant stands to bring your plants up the level of the rest of the patio.

Use Details to Decorate

Details can make a small patio feel snug and inviting rather than simply small. Consider hanging wind chimes or using a small fountain to bring a bit of environment and extra detail to the area. Hanging plants and twinkle lights can help set a mood as can an outdoor shelf and candle collection.

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How to Insure Your Belongings

It doesn’t matter how little or how much you own. Once you’re established and on your own, you need to insure your belonging. This can be done through a single insurance company or agent or through separate companies if the price and need warrants the diversity. Here’s how to insure your belonging.

Your Home

If you own your own home, you need home insurance. This will include some natural disasters such as fire, but you may need separate insurance for flooding, wind and hail damage. Your home is your most expensive and valuable possession, it should be insured first. Home owners insurance should also include all possessions within the home, so be sure to list and photograph all items should you need to file a claim. Also be sure you have enough property insurance to cover the replacement costs of everything should something terrible happen.

Your Car

Car insurance covers you in case of an accident or theft. You can set your limits and deductible at various rates, but be sure you meet at least the minimum requirements for your state or area. Strongly consider adding uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage in case you are involved in an accident with an individual without insurance. If you have a new car or one that has payments higher than the vehicle is worth, you might also consider gap insurance to cover the difference in your loan and the insured value should the car become totaled.

Renters Insurance

If you don’t own your own home, you still need to insure your possessions. Most insurance companies offer renters insurance which insures just the property inside the apartment. Should a theft or natural disaster occur that damages your apartment and your belongings inside, the renters insurance should be enough to cover replacing those items.

Collectibles Insurance

If you collect items, especially antiques or other items of value, you should insure those collections. The same is true if you own antique cars or motorcycles, even if they aren’t driven.

Jewelry Insurance

Jewelry over a certain value – and you determine that value – should be insured. Jewelry retailers or your traditional insurance provided can help determine the best policy to cover expensive jewelry. This same insurance can cover other expensive items such as coins, collectibles and investment grade antiques.

Item Insurance

Many items such as appliance and electronics offer an insurance policy with purchase. Determine if the policy is worth the cost of replacing or repairing the item should it break. Also be sure to consider any manufacturer warranty.

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