Happy Halloween!!

We wish everyone a safe and spooktacular evening! Whether you are passing out candy or taking your little goblins and princesses trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, we hope you have a terrific evening!

Down the Drain: Garbage Disposal Dos & Don'ts

If your kitchen has a garbage disposal, you know how easy it makes mealtime clean up. But what you may not realize is that your disposal comes with some pretty important rules. Here are some of the most vital:
Do:

• Insert food slowly. Stuffing it all into your disposal at once can cause clogs and shorten the life of your system.
• Grind hard materials. Many people think food like chicken bones or small fruit pits are a no-no, but they can actually help clean the walls of the disposal.
• Use cold water for at least 20 seconds. This will solidify grease so that it can be ground up. Also, make sure that all food particles are washed completely down the drain.
• Keep it clean. One good way to eliminate drain smells is by grinding citrus fruit peels. You can also add a few drops of dish soap and let the disposal run for a few minutes.

Don't:

• Use hot water. This will make grease liquefy and build up, which can clog the drain.
• Grind fibrous or expandable foods. The former, like celery stalks and onionskins, can tangle up the disposal. The latter, like pasta and rice, can clog it.
• Turn off the motor too quickly. You'll want to make sure all food particles are completely ground. Once done, continue to run the water for at least 15 seconds to flush out particles.
• Wash coffee grounds down the drain. While they won't harm the disposal itself, they can clog pipes and drains.
• Forget to use it. Lack of use can cause rusting and corrosion, which can lead to premature system replacement.

Rent Or Buy: 10 Key Questions

Even with the benefits of homeownership, not everyone can or should own a home. These 10 questions can help you sort out whether owning a home makes sense for your personal situation.
1. Do you want to own a home?
2. Can you find a home to buy that you like?
3. Can you find a home to buy that's located where you want to live?
4. Can you find a home that you can afford to buy- and own?
5. Can you qualify for a mortgage or pay cash to purchase a home?
6. Does the cost of owning a home compared with renting make sense for you?
7. Is your job or other source of income secure?
8. Do you have a financial cushion in case you suffer a serious or prolonged loss of income?
9. Do you expect to remain in the same community for at least several years?
10. Do you expect to live in the same home for at least several years?

If you answered YES to these questions, you are a good candidate to own your own home!