Getting Ready for Spring – Motivation for Spring Cleaning!

It’s that time of year again when we’re ready to jumpstart into spring, and that includes spring cleaning. Time to stop groaning and think about where to start. There are a lot of small things you can do that can go a long way to brightening up your home after a long winter, and hopefully these tips will help to motivate you!

Start small and go for the big wins first. You don’t have to conquer the world in one day, or clean your home for that matter. Make a list of what you’d like to see done, then plan for an hour a day to work on one of the items on your list.

Wash the floor mats to get rid of the grime from winter boots and the spills they’ve been collecting. It doesn’t take long but it makes a big difference. Check the wash water to see just how much dirt those mats have been harboring!

Grab a pail and wash the kitchen floor and then do some spot cleaning of the walls to get rid of handprints or smudges.

Pick an evening and clean the mirrors in your home. It won’t take long, but your mirrors will be shining when you’re done. Don’t forget to also clean the TV and computer screens.

Wash the windows in the kitchen so you can see the buds coming out on the trees when you’re cooking. Then continue to the living room windows if you have the time.

Pick a closet to sort through and tidy. If you finish before you expect, you now have some bonus time!!!

Clean out the fridge and get rid of anything not quite edible, wiping down the shelves as you go. Then take pleasure in filling it with some of your favorite foods!

Want to spend some time outside enjoying the sunshine? Grab a hose and an extendable squeegee and wash the windows outside. You get clean windows and some fresh air.

Refresh your wood furniture and cupboards with some furniture polish or other wood product. You’ll get rid of some dust and keep your furniture looking good.

Wash the blankets and throws on your bed and in the rest of your home. Not only will the colors be brighter, but they will smell fresher, especially if you’re planning to hang them up outside to dry. Just make sure to follow the cleaning instructions on each item!

Vacuum everywhere, including under the furniture and in the corners… getting rid of the dust collecting in the carpet will not only make your home look cleaner, it will also improve your health by getting rid of dust mites.

I think you get the idea… Every time you finish something on your list, take pride in crossing it out. Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be the dreaded chore it sounds like when it’s broken out into manageable pieces. Set achievable goals and you’ll be done in no time. Now for the most important part, remember to reward yourself after each milestone… grab some hot chocolate and go for a walk with your sweetie, take a long hot bath in your freshly cleaned tub, or put up your feet and watch a movie. Everything in moderation, including cleaning. Adopted from http://EzineArticles.com/

Five Tips for Taxpayers Making a Move!

The IRS offers five tips for taxpayers who have moved or are about to move. If you’ve changed your home or business address, make sure you update that information with the IRS to ensure you receive any refunds or correspondence from the IRS.

How to Change Your Address You can change your address on file with the IRS in several ways:• Correct the address legibly on the mailing label that comes with your tax package;

• Write the new address in the appropriate boxes on your tax return;
• Use Form 8822, Change of Address, to submit an address or name change any time during the year;
• Give the IRS written notification of your new address by writing to the IRS center where you file your return. Include your full name, old and new addresses, Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number and signature. If you filed a joint return, be sure to include the information for both taxpayers. If you filed a joint return and have since established separate residences, both taxpayers should notify the IRS of your new addresses; and
• Should an IRS employee contact you about your account, you may be able to verbally provide a change of address.

Notify Your Employer Be sure to also notify your employer of your new address so you get your W-2 forms on time.

Notify the Post Office If you change your address after you’ve filed your return, don’t forget to notify the post office at your old address so your mail can be forwarded.

Estimated Tax Payments If you make estimated tax payments throughout the year, you should mail a completed Form 8822, Change of Address, or write the IRS campus where you file your return. You may continue to use your old pre-printed payment vouchers until the IRS sends you new ones with your new address. However, do not correct the address on the old voucher.
Postal Service The IRS does use the Postal Service’s change of address files to update taxpayer addresses, but it’s still a good idea to notify the IRS directly.

Visit IRS.gov for more information about changing your address. At IRS.gov, you can also find the address of the IRS center where you file your tax return or download Form 8822, Change of Address. The form is also available by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676). Adopted from http://www.irs.gov/newsroom

Springtime Means Easing into Exercise for Both You and Your Dog

The arrival of spring means the arrival of good weather and a desire to get out and enjoy outdoor activities with your best friend. Dogs, like people, enjoy getting outside and also reap the benefits from healthy exercise and fresh air.

However, just as people need to ease into new activities after a long winter, the veterinarians at Colorado State University advise that we do the same for our pets. The following are some tips for pet owners who plan a busy outdoor schedule this spring.

• The first and most important step is to check with your veterinarian to be sure that your pet has a clean bill of health. If your dog has a history of medical problems, ask your veterinarian to help you plan an appropriate exercise program.
• Take into consideration the age of your dog. Remember that the level of exercise that is healthy for a young dog may not be so for an older dog.
• If you have not exercised your dog in a while, go slow at first. Whether you are walking, running or throwing the ball, start with short periods of activity at slow speeds and gradually increase the time and distance.
• Watch the temperature. Avoid strenuous exercise on warm days. With a full winter coat, even moderate exercise on a mild day can lead to heat exhaustion for your pet. If you see your dog is panting excessively or seeking shade, it may be time for a break and some fresh water.
• Avoid activities with puppies less than 20 weeks of age that brings them into contact with other dogs. During these first three months, puppies are at a high risk of contracting infectious diseases like parvovirus enteritis and distemper. Remember, too, that too much exertion for a young puppy could lead to serious injuries or low blood sugar.
• Avoid strenuous activity directly before or after a meal. On warm days, offer small amounts of water before and after the activity. If the activity last more than an hour, such as a long hike, bring fresh water for the dog, too. Don’t rely on mountain lakes and streams as they could be the source of intestinal parasites.
• If your dog has not been out much over the winter, begin by walking or running on soft surfaces such as dirt, grass or sand until his paw pads toughen up. It is best to keep your dog’s nails trimmed to avoid tearing them during activity.
• Keep your dog on a leash when walking or running. This allows you to maintain control and to keep your dog safe. If you are running or walking at night, be sure to wear reflective or light-colored clothing and use a reflective collar or tie a brightly colored bandana around the dog’s neck.
• On camping trips or if you walk your dog in heavily wooded areas, be sure to check the animal’s eyes, ears, feet and coat for burrs, seeds, foxtail and dirt. Prompt and careful removal of any irritants is important, especially in or around the eye. The best method for clearing any foreign material from the eye is to wash the eyes with a simple saline solution that can be purchased over the counter at most drug stores.
• Ticks are a real problem. Regular grooming is important in controlling these pests. If you find a tick on your animal, remove it carefully with tweezers, not with bare hands. Try to avoid twisting or pulling in such a way that would cause the body to break off and leave the tick’s head in the skin. Your veterinarian can recommend a good tick-control product.
• Know local laws. Be aware of “pooper scooper” and local leash requirements. Some public parks and specific dog parks allow dogs to run off-leash. Training your dog to follow your commands when outdoors can save you a lot of headaches, especially when introducing your dog to other dogs or to other people who may not be pet-friendly.Adopted From http://www.news.colostate.edu/

Recipe Of The Month! - “Hobos”

This was a campfire favorite when our sons were in Scouting, but it works equally well when cooked in the oven!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb beef round steak (1/2 thick cut in thin strips) 1 (10 oz.)
• pkg. frozen peas & 1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen carrots or 2 (10 oz. pkg. of corn)
• 4 to 6 medium potatoes pealed and cut into quarters
• 1 (10 1/2 oz.) can of condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 envelope (about 1 1/2 oz.) onion or mushroom & onion soup mix

This recipe makes a dinner for four people so divide the food accordingly. Heat the oven to 450 degrees. Tear off 4 pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil (18×15in). On the center of each piece place as many potato quarters as you think each person will eat, then your choice of peas & carrots or corn. Next, top each dinner with 1/4 of the round steak. Stir together the mushroom soup and the soup mix; spoon 1/4 of soup mixture over the top of each dinner. Seal each package securely. Place on a baking sheet. Bake for 50 min. Pour into individual bowls & serve. A fun campfire dinner, but even better when made in the kitchen—no mosquitoes!

The Five Habits of Success!

Develop and reinforce these five habits of success. When you do, you will not have to make new decisions every morning. You instinctively know what you are going to do and how you are going to do it!

• The habit of positive thinking! – Successful people have simply formed the habit of doing what failures do not like to do and will not do: They think positively! They have the habit of expecting to win, the habit of planning to win, the habit of working to win… and they win!
• The habit of prospecting! – Develop this habit, and you will have prospects everywhere and you will have an endless supply of Class A leads.
• The habit of calling on people! – This makes selling fun and exciting—and fruitful!
• The habit of selling! – Use a system or sales presentation. Follow it to a “T”! It will make you a skilled communicator, a person who speaks with emotion and conviction.
• The habit of working! – Work is a privilege! Work is a joy! It is one of the most exciting things you can do. When you get results, it pumps your adrenalin, gives you more energy and multiplies more results!

How do you acquire these habits? – You simply decide that the opportunity of presenting is a service is worth doing! Determine ahead of time the personal goals you can achieve for success in this business! Be confident that you have the ability to change or to do whatever it takes to get the job done! Enter into it without giving mental recognition to the possibility of defeat! Live each day with positive expectancy! Stick to the basics and the fundamentals! http://www.jimrohn.com/index.php

How Can Kids Save For Something Big?

Whether you want to save up for a cool video game or your college education, you’re going to need a financial game plan. Check out some of these ideas that’ll get you started!

Get a Savings Account – If you’re serious about saving your cash, keeping it in a shoe box isn’t going to cut it. It’s time to start a savings account. It should be separate from your checking or “spending money” account. Look for a bank that offers a higher interest rate & also make sure they don’t charge you a lot of service fees. In fact, a lot of banks don’t charge kids any service fees at all, so shop around for the best deal.

Start Saving Your Money Now – The next step is to start putting money in your account. Start with whatever you have, it all helps. Make a saving plan. Decide how much you’re willing to put aside every month and then do it. Most banks will be able to set up an automatic transfer every month – so the cash will come out of your checking account & go into your savings automatically. This is helpful because it’s easier to save money if you never have a chance to spend it in the first place!

Advanced Options: Investing Your Money – If you have a serious goal (paying for college, backpacking through Europe after graduation, etc.) the best idea is to start making your money work for you. The way to do this is to invest your money somewhere where it’s going to make more interest than in your savings account.

Here Are Some Options:

• Bonds: When you buy a bond it means you are lending money to someone (for example, your government or a company). With a bond you get a higher rate of interest than with a bank account, but you have to wait longer to get your money back (sometimes 10-15 years).
  
• Stocks: When you buy stocks you are actually buying a tiny piece of a big company (for example, you can buy stocks in Disney, McDonald’s or Nike). You can often make a lot of interest in the stock market but you also run the risk of losing money too. If the stock goes down, the money you get back from your investment goes down too.
  
• Mutual Funds: Mutual Funds are like investing on your own, but instead you pool your money with other people & invest in a bunch of things (stocks, bonds etc.) with the help of a financial manager. This is a good option because you have a professional doing all the hard work, and it is less risky since you don’t have all your investments in one place.
  
• Other Investment Options – There are tons of other investment options out there & a financial advisor, banker or a money-savvy parent might have some cool ideas for your specific situation. If you’re trying to save up for school, you might find that your government offers some saving help. Some countries & states will chip in to your college fund, while others will give you (or your parents) tax breaks. Check out your government’s web site or ask your school counselor. Adopted From http://www.kidzworld.com/

Reel Partner Of The Month! – Fred & Son’s Hauling & Tree Removal Service

With careful attention to detail, we have a proven record of stability, reliability and sustained growth. We pride ourselves on being able to consistently give our clients excellent quality and results at affordable prices. Fred & Son’s Hauling & Tree Removal Service, provides a full range of service such as:

• Tree Topping – Trimming & Removal


• Stump Removal


• Brush Pile, Yard Waste Removal


• Bush/Hedge Trimming


• Trash/Junk Removal


• Garage/ Shed/ Fence/ Deck Demolition & Removal


• Rentals & Foreclosure Property Cleanouts


• Gutter Cleaning


• Light Hauling

Customer satisfaction is our top priority and our goal is to deliver quality services that will exceed our customers’ expectations. We deliver quality results along with fast, friendly service that consistently exceeds the expectations of our clients.

Call Don “Fred” Burns At 317-626-5973

Ask The Reel Team Your Real Estate Questions:How Is The Indianapolis Real Estate Market?

INDIANAPOLIS, IN--(January 19, 2010)--The housing market came through the past year in rather better shape than might have been expected; home sales were down only 4 percent (969) from 2008. In the past year we experienced instability in financial markets and the subsequent sharp contraction in the economy, and some dynamics in the market remain: unemployment and buyer confidence.
The 4th quarter housing market in the Indianapolis area flourished with homes posting a dramatic rise. Home sales were up 15 percent from 4th quarter 2009 versus 4th quarter 2008. Buying activity in nine counties surrounding Indianapolis indicates that improved affordability is prompting many first-time buyers to get off the fence, out of their rentals, and into the market.
A look at county-by-county increases in 2009 home sales from October to December provides some of the details:

• Johnson UP 31% to 477


• Hamilton UP 28% to 1,131


• Shelby UP 27% to 109


• Hendricks UP 16% to 449


• Marion UP 15% to 2,811


• Hancock UP 14% to 229


• Morgan UP 11% to 186

Average Price of Homes Sold in the Indianapolis area December, 2009 vs. December, 2008:

• $142,010 December, 2009


• $128,479 December, 2008

Purchasers are clearly taking advantage of affordable prices and rock bottom interest rates. Those who missed the boat in years past have found that sitting on the sidelines could be a costly move. Prices are on the upswing and inventory levels are tightening, so the push toward homeownership is expected to continue throughout the spring of 2010. Adopted From http://www.insideindianabusiness.com

Reel Free Classifieds

Vehicles

• 2006 Suzuki Boulevard Motorcycle – 5,400 miles. The motorcycle also comes with 2 helmets. Price $5,900. Please call Joe at 765-215-7129.

Free Pets

• GREAT DANE- FREE 9 mo old – Mantle ML “Karter”. Needs loving home/family who gives him the attention & care needed. 317-908 1996
• Orange & White Male Cat – We would keep him but we have pets already…like I said he was only supposed to have him temporarily. e-mail: s_passwater89@yahoo.com


• Border Collie – needs a good home. She has been spayed and will be one year old in May. Call 317-625-2482


• 12 weeks old. 4 male, 3 female dogs – They have been wormed. These would be great dogs for a family or farm or just about anyone. (812)342-7530


• 4Yr. Old Male Cat – He is white with an orange tail; he is also de-clawed and neutered. Good with children and other pets. Serious inquiries only!! Call 317-753-4969

Reel Deals

• Upright, General Electric – 18.0 cubic feet. older but works good. $75 317-784-8537
• HOME THEATRE SYSTEM – by Sharp, 600 watt, w/5 speakers, sub roofer, remote. $99.00 (317)837-9779


• LAWN MOWER -Craftsman 22” cut big wheels in back. Side discharge & mulch Like New $99 317-784-8537


• LIVING ROOM FURNITURE – Couch, 2 lamps, coffee table, desk chair, $75/will not separate. (317) 491-1394


• REFRIGERATOR -Amana, side by side with ice & water, Ivory. Really Nice. $99 317-784-8537

Charity Events & Fundraisers

• Saturday, March 13, 2010, 12:00 PM. Benefit Luncheon at Lambert’s Music in Anderson. A ham and beans luncheon (with hot dogs and dessert, too) to benefit the Madison County Humane Society. 12-2 PM. $8 ($4 children). Call 765-641-1200. http://www.lambertsmusic.com/
• Saturday, March 20, 2010, 2:00 PM. Jenxie’s ‘Pay What You Can’ Community Meal at the Earth House Collective. A community meal with no need to pay; if you can, pay what you want. 3rd Saturday each month, 2-4 PM. Call 317-636-4060. http://www.earthhousecollective.org/
• Saturday, April 17, 2010, 7:00 AM. 19th Annual ‘Race for the Cure’ at IUPUI. Running and walking events for everyone from competitive runners to families. Proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Registration 7 AM, 3 starts at 9, 9:10, and 9:45 AM. Call 317-638-2873. www.komenindy.org/new.asp?p=23


• Sunday, April 25, 2010, 11:00 AM. 7th Annual Mutt Strut at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A pet walk to benefit the Humane Society of Indianapolis. Thousands of people and pets participate annually for a walk around the track. This year’s goal: 10,000 walkers. 11 AM to 2:30 PM. Call 317-872-5650 ext. 102. www.indyhumane.org