Photo by: all in green

Holiday Decorating

It is possible to have high-quality decorations without spending too much. Here are a few ideas to save money on your holiday decorating:

• Refurbish old decorations.
• Shop at yard sales and online auctions.
• Buy basic decorations, such as wreaths, ribbon and candles, at dollar and discount stores.
• Make your own decorations. Check out the Organized Christmas website for great ideas.
• Start shopping after Christmas and getting some major decorations you have always wanted at huge discounted prices.

Hosting a Party

Keep in mind that the purpose of having a holiday party is to socialize with your friends and colleagues, NOT to go overboard and try to impress. Maybe this is the year for everyone to bring a dish or just have a dessert or hors d’oeurves party, or maybe just a cookie swap. After you decide what type of party you want to host, here are some ways to save money.

• Make your own invitations to mail out or use online invitation services to create FREE email invitations, and your guest can respond to the invitation online!
• Use simple decorations that you already have, or just spruce up some of the old ones. Pick a focal point, like your dining room table to create a centerpiece that draws attention, and don’t worry about everywhere else.
• Remember the earlier helpful hints, make a list and cut coupons.
• Start buying a few things ahead of time that may be on sale, such as paper products, nuts, crackers and any nonperishable goods you may be using. If you have a list, this will be easy!
• Buy store brand instead of name brand goods. Many times these items can be half the price of name brand goods.

Photo by: vendrán mañana

Holiday Shopping

The most important way to save money when you go to buy holiday gifts is to make a list of who you need to buy for and how much you want to spend, and stick with it! Also, don’t forget the pointers above to clip coupons and shop online. Here are a few more ways to save money that you may not have thought of.

• Outlet stores – You can find just about everything you may be looking for at an outlet, from designer purses to toys and electronics. Usually these items are slightly less than perfect, so be sure to inspect them before buying. Sometimes they are just last year’s overstock.
• Many credit cards companies allow you to turn reward points in for gift cards. Get some and give them as gifts or use them yourself to buy a gift.
• If you have hotel or airline reward points, check out their gift catalog and pick out a great free gift for someone.
• Do not buy something for yourself every time you buy a gift. If this is a problem, then add yourself to your list of who you need to buy for and how much you are going to spend on you! Keep it in your budget.
• Make some of your gifts – You don’t necessarily need to be crafty. Check your local craft store or go to great gifts to make online.
• Once you have your list of who and what you are going to buy, if you have to go to the mall, or a shopping area, try to do it in one trip. Save time and gas!

Traveling during the Holidays

If you are planning on traveling to see friends and relatives during this holiday season, or if this is when you take a much-needed vacation, here are a few ways to save money.

• If you are traveling by car to see family during the holidays, check and see if any other family members near your Fresno Apartment would like to carpool with you.
• If you haven’t had your car tuned up lately, take it in and have your oil changed, fluids checked and tire pressure checked. Then when you start on your trip, drive the speed limit…you get better gas mileage.
• If you plan on flying this holiday season, check now to find the best deal. If you can be flexible, check different days and different times of day. It can make a big difference in the price.
• If you have frequent flyer points, but not enough to buy a ticket, check into buying points and see if it saves you any money.
• If you can wait until the week before and you are flexible, go to Last Minute Cheap Flights and Travel Zoo to check out their specials.

Photo by: almost witty

We all want to have a memorable holiday season and save money, so decide what is important to you. If you don’t spend money on decorating so that you can go home for the holidays, or wear last years holiday outfit so that you can buy a gift for toys for tots, then do it. Memories will last forever, but some things just disappear and are forgotten after the holiday season.

“I’m hungry?” “I have to go potty.” “Angela flipped off the trucker again!”

Sound familiar? If you have kids, particularly those of the younger variety, and have ever attempted the miraculous feat of taking them on a lengthy road trip, I’m sure it does. If you were to ask the average parent living in Fresno about the moment they most felt alive, they’d probably tell you that it was NOT the 14 hour road trip up the I-5 corridor with their hungry, cramped, bored stiff kids in the backseat. Nothing against traveling, nor kids. We love to travel. We love our kids. So, why is it so hard to love traveling with our kids?

Why Is It Hard To Travel With Kids?

Well, for those of us who have been blessed with those miniature humanoids, otherwise known as children, the answer is pretty obvious. First, children love to be active- they would much rather be jumping on top of a car than sitting inside of it. Second, like the little Buddhas they are, children live in the moment. When you put these two qualities together it does not make for beings who like sitting quietly in the same, cramped place for hours at a time. Sure, they may sit in the back seat for a while and take in the scenery. They may even doze off into dreamland. But, if you’re on a real road trip, that won’t last. You need a back-up plan. You need a front-down plan. You just need a plan man! The worst thing you can do is to enter into a long-distance driving relationship with your little ones without one.

Top 5 Road Trip Activities

The good news is that, regardless of whether it’s weekend, business, or holiday travel, there are things you can do make traveling with your kids a joy. Here’s a list of the 5 best activities to incorporate into your very own road trip action plan:

Photo By: Bebe Beaux

1. License Plate Bingo- A classic among road trip games, all you need to do for this activity is get some paper and pens and write five lines containing five random letters and numbers. Give each child one piece of paper and a pen and have circle any letters and numbers that match those on the license plates of passing cars. The first person to circle five in a row (down, diagonally, or across) shouts “Bingo!” and wins that round. You can even download and print bingo cards online. You can play as teams or individually.
2. Portable DVD player- Bring a portable DVD player, an assortment of movies, a bag of pre-made popcorn or other snack (try to keep it healthy), and convert your car into a traveling movie theater. Our Sony DVP-FX810 portable DVD player has saved our sanity on numerous occasions. Thanks Sony.
3. Goody Basket- Get a little basket or bag for each of your children, then fill it with little activities that they can do individually or together (Mad Libs, crossword puzzles, comics, a new book). Also, include some healthy snacks (a granola bar, trail mix, veggie sticks, fruit), a healthy drink (water, fruit drink, sparkling water), and one fun snack (small candy bar, gum, etc). Stash your goody basket under or behind the car seat and watch your kids eyes light up when they find it.
4. Portable Game Systems- Road trips are where portable game systems like Nintendo DS or Sony PSP really shine. Beyond the usual assortment of sports and action games, there are also several fun and educational games on the market. Kids learning while having fun? Who would have thunk it?
5. Scavenger Hunt- Create a word list (or picture list if your child can’t read) of items that they’re likely to see while on the road and print one out for each child. Your children can check off each item they spot. First person to spot all the items gets a little surprise (second, third, fourth place prizes are also nice to have on hand).

So before you head on on your traveling adventures, plan some road trip activities and ideas for your kids…..Are we there yet?

Photo By: aJ GAZMEN GucciBeaR

So, what do you need to make your apartment balcony really stand out as a place you, your family and even your friends will want to hang out in to take in the fresh air? Let’s take a look at some outdoor accessories that can go well beyond the basic table and chairs for creating a fun, relaxing outdoor living space:

Lighting – While this won’t likely matter much to you during the day, if you want to take in those beautiful Fresno nights, you might want some lighting to guide your activities. If you do have a good view from your Fresno apartments, you’ll likely want to keep lighting at a minimum. Consider candles or small lanterns to illuminate without blotting out the night sky.

Photo By: Javaturtle

Plants – Nothing adds to patio décor and helps bring the outdoors in better than well selected and well placed plants. Go with plants that appeal to you and are fairly easy to take care of if you’re new at outdoor growing. Should you really want to jazz up the outdoor appearance and make it functional at the same time, consider growing small vegetables, such as peppers and tomatoes.

Pillows – Make patio décor more comfortable and stylish by adding pillows to the mix. If your chairs or outdoor lounges will accommodate, pillows will add a splash of personalization to your apartment balcony and make relaxing even easier.

All-weather electronics – A water/weatherproof radio can really add ambiance to your apartment balcony. If you don’t mind a break in the tranquility, an all-weather television can also make a great statement, especially when you’re grilling or dining outdoors.

Photo By: Dgphilli

Grill – Speaking of grilling, you’ll need one of these if want to keep your apartment cool on hot nights and still enjoy a tasty meal. Nothing will transform your apartment balcony into the center of your apartment life faster than a good grill and a comfortable table and chairs.

Transforming a patio into a fun, relaxing and enjoyable outdoor living space is not a difficult undertaking. With the right outdoor accessories, you can enjoy your apartment from the inside out. When you make your patio a space for living, you can take better advantage of every square foot of space you have.

Photo By: Androog

An Apartment Rental With Lots Of Charm

• Creative use of not one, but two area rugs brings even more attention to the beautiful hardwood floors.
• Color is used thoughtfully with the area rug being a more vibrant and saturated hue of the paint color on the wall. Other than that, the rest of the color palette is pretty muted.
• Sheer window treatments allow lots of natural light into the living room space.

Storage Becomes Art in Small Apartment Design

There are a few specific points that make this functional, space-saving pot rack sculptural and artistic.

• The pots look to have same finish and patina, unifying the group as a whole piece.
• They look as if they were hung in that order deliberately, with the longest pots arranged towards the center, getting shorter as they go out.
• Large over-sized hooks add another design element.

Create Comfy Corners in your Apartment

• Sheers again allow light to flood the space, making this the perfect place to curl up and read.
• The decorative pillow adds interest to an otherwise plain area. You can add a throw blanket to the back of the chair too.
• Plants and greenery add life to any space. There great to use in all rooms in your house.

Your apartment in Fresno doesn’t need to be an exact replica of this California apartment rental. Use these pictures, and any other beautifully designed apartment spaces as inspiration and get your creative juices flowing. You’ll have amazing decorating ideas for your space soon enough!

Is it Time to Quit Your Job?

Are you Bored? – If your work is too easy and you no longer feel like you are growing, it may be time to challenge yourself with a new role. You should constantly be learning more skills and gaining industry knowledge. If you are stagnant and feel like what you’re doing is useless, dust off that resume and think about finding a job.

Are you Overly Stressed? – Do you feel incredible pressure at work? Does it seep into your personal life or keep you awake at night? Maybe you are bullied by a belittling boss or burdened with an unreasonable amount of work? Every job brings stress, but if the stress level is making you miserable, you should find a more suitable job.

Do you Hate Going to Work? – When your alarm rings in the morning, do you just want to hide under the covers? On Sunday nights do you start getting a stomachache thinking about the upcoming work week? If you find a job you truly love, you’ll wake up feeling lucky to have it. You’ll be eager to see what each new day brings and what new skills you can learn or improve on.

Are you and your Boss on the Same Page? – Is your boss open to talking about your career path and coaching you on how to achieve your goals for more responsibilities, raises and promotions in the future? If your boss shrugs off any questions about your future with the company, or makes promises but never keeps them, it’s time to go.

Are you in the Wrong Field? – Is your gut telling you you’re meant to do something else? Are you ignoring your passions and interests just to pay the rent every month? Devise a plan for a career change. If more school is required, it is not impossible. Take online courses from your home. Maybe you’d enjoy a different job but it pays less money? Get a plan rolling…get a cheaper car, a less expensive apartment, pay off debt, start getting your ducks in a row. You only have one life to live so make sure you do what you find fulfilling.

Do you Feel a Sense of Belonging? – Do you fit in and get along with your coworkers, for the most part? Does the company uphold the same values as you or does the way the company does business make your skin crawl? If your gut feeling is you don’t want to be a part of this place, then don’t.

Is the Company Stable? – If the company is on shaky ground, you’ll want to be proactive and find something more stable. If your company has a hiring freeze, a salary freeze or is not coming forth with promised bonuses, these are all bad signs. A financially sound employee-oriented company normally offers raises, bonuses or profit-sharing and opportunities to move up for loyal employees who are solid contributors.

How is your Commute? – If you are commuting more than an hour each way from your Fresno apartment and you could find a job closer to home, it’s a good idea. Working long hours and commuting 2+ hours a day not only exhausts you but uses up every hour of the daylight. People who sit in congested traffic are more prone to illness and back problems and less likely to exercise.

Are you Fairly Compensated? – Are you paid a comparable salary to others in your field? Are you given a yearly raise to keep up with the cost of living? Have your bonuses or commissions been cut, leaving the size of your paycheck smaller than it used to be? Search job postings on sites like Monster.com and see what positions and salaries you qualify for.

If you do decide to quit, don’t do something rash. The most respected employees give at least two week’s notice and maintain a helpful attitude through the end.

Photo by: Bill S

Symptoms of Cat Depression

If you can answer yes to any combination of the questions below, your cat may be experiencing depression or grief:

1. Is your cat sleeping more and playing less than normal?
2. Does your cat bite and scratch familiar family members and friends without reason??
3. Is your cat not eating food?
4. Does your cat hide or spend time alone away from members of the household?
5. Has your cat stopped using the litter box and started having accidents throughout the house?

Causes of Depression in Cats

Several things can cause depression in household pets. The following are just a few common causes

1. Losing a friend – If someone of the household has moved or passed away, your cat may not be able to cope with the loss. They may miss the companionship and not understand why that person is now missing.

2. Moving to a new place – If you’ve recently moved to a new Fresno home, your cat may not be used to it’s new surroundings yet. It may not have had time to adjust and explore it’s new environment.

3. New additions to the family – When a new baby is introduced to a household, it typically becomes the center of attention. Your cat may be feeling neglected. With the new baby you may not have time to spend with it or restrict it’s movements in the house where it once had free reign.

4. If you’re feeling sad – Your cat will pick up on your emotions. If you are feeling depressed, your cat will most likely emulate your feelings.

5. Changes in routine – A change in your routine can throw off your cat’s emotions. When you start a new job with different hours, your cat has to get used to the change. It may expect you home at a certain time and if you’re not there, it may feel neglected.

6. Distemper – This can be a fatal illness in cats. It can cause depression, diarrhea and vomiting and must be treated by a vet immediately. You can prevent this illness with immunizations.

Photo by: sausyn

How to Treat Your Cat’s Depression

For the most part, the depression your cat is suffering from can be treated at home. Below are a few ways you can lighten your cat’s mood:

For loneliness – If you think your cat’s depression is caused by loneliness, consider getting another pet for it to play with. Another cat or dog that’s good with cats would be a nice addition to the household.

For feelings of neglect – Spend quality time with your cat. Groom, brush and play with it whenever you can find time during your day.

For frustration – If you’ve moved from a house to an apartment, and your cat doesn’t have as much space to move around, invest in some toys and a scratching post for it to play with. And, make sure there’s space for it to sit by the window and watch other animals and things going on outside.

If symptoms worsen and your cat refuses to eat for long periods of time, you need to take your cat to the vet because it may be having other cat health problems and require medication.

Other Articles you May Enjoy

Plants to Avoid in Pet Friendly Apartments
What you Need to do Before Adopting a New Kitten

Hang a Wall Organizer

Photo by: Andy Butkaj

A great place to stack your bath towels and hang your other bathroom accessories. It looks good and saves space.

Rubber Ducky, You’re the One

Photo by: Jay Goldman

Hang your bath towel over the tub and place an adorable rubber ducky on top. Popular with both kids and adults.

Put a Lid on It

Roll colorful small towels and place them in glass jars.

Put them on a Pedestal

Photo by: M.V. Jantzen

Hang a pedestal, or two, and neatly stack your towels on top. It’s unique and fun!

Any of these ideas for decorative towels will make your Fresno apartment bathroom a must-see!

Photo by: Priya Deonarain

Some of the legal terms you may come across in your lease agreement will very likely be unfamiliar to you if you’ve never studied law or signed a lease before. Here are a few of the most common terms and their legal definitions to help you make certain you fully understand everything before sign:

Arrears – You might find this term in with a long explanation of what will happen if payments aren’t made on your apartment. While you won’t likely need to know what happens when you don’t pay, arrears simply means being behind in payments.

Breach – This term doesn’t just apply to babies. If you see it among the legal terms in your lease agreement, it simply means being in violation of a provision of your contract.

Dispossess – This means nothing more than eviction. By the way, eviction is the legal way to remove a tenant from a rental by going through the court system.

Exculpatory clause – This clause removes one person or party from liability that might result from the negligence of another party.

Holdover tenancy – This takes place when a tenant hangs onto possession of a property after a lease term has transpired.

Lessee – This is a fancy legal term for you – the renter.

Lessor – This is another fancy term that defines the landlord or the agent who acts on his or her behalf.

Periodic tenancy – If you choose to rent month-to-month, you might see this term in your lease agreement. It means that you can rent the property indefinitely until the agreement is terminated by one of the parties.

Remedy – This is the legal term that pertains to the stated path for resolving disputes or grievances.

Security deposit – This is the money that you’ll have to pay to cover any damage to an apartment while you’re living there. This is a payment of good faith.

Moving into Fresno apartments will take a little bit more than money, boxes and the resolve to unpack. To understand your lease agreement, it helps to have a handle on the legal terms within the document. Look into anything you don’t know before you sign to protect yourself down the road.

• A copy of your most recent bank statement.
• Current and consecutive paycheck stubs, usually 3. There is often an income requirement. In some markets, renters must have income 3 times the cost of the monthly rent. So for a unit the costs 900 per month, a tenant’s income has to be at least 2700 per month.
• Employment verification letter stating current position and salary. This is simply to ensure the tenant has a reliable source of income that’s sufficient to pay the rent.
• A reference letter from most recent landlord. It should make clear that the tenant paid rent and utilities on time, took care of the unit and left it in reasonable condition at the end of the lease.
• Names, addresses and phone numbers of other previous landlords who are willing to be contacted.

In really competitive rental markets, it pays to go above and beyond in an effort to paint yourself as the most desirable potential tenant. These documents are not always required, but can help make your case in securing your coveted apartment for rent.

• Tax returns for the past two years to show a stable employment history and consistent income.
• Other verifiable documents showing additional sources of income from student loans, Social Security, alimony or disability.
• Names, addresses and phone numbers of business references who are willing to be contacted and will attest to a potential renter’s personal character.
• Copy of recent credit report and score. Landlords will check themselves but if you can show that you’re credit history is strong, it would be favorable and might put you ahead of other applicants.

Tip: Make sure that documentation from companies or businesses are on official letterhead.

What is a Guarantor?

This person is usually necessary in apartment lease contracts in one of two situations. Landlords and apartment leasing agents will require tenants to have a guarantor (or co-signer) when the tenant alone does not meet the income requirements or has a low credit score. In the event that the primary tenant is unble to meet the terms of the lease and pay the rent, the guarantor is legally obligated to do so.

If you do need a guarantor in order to rent the apartment, make sure this person has everything ready to go. The same documents required of you in the apartment application process will also be required of your co-signer.

Fresno museums run the gamut of genres. Within the city and nearby you will find these venues:

Photo by: NYCArthur

The Fresno Art Museum – This museum in Fresno has been open since 1948. Through the years it has grown to include an extensive collection of ancient works with an emphasis on pre-Columbian Mexican art. It also boasts a number of contemporary and modern works from articles all over the world. Located at 2233 First Street, the museum also plays host to special exhibits and events.

The Fresno Metropolitan Museum – The “Met,” as it is called, has been a part of the city’s fabric since 1984. This Fresno museum is dedicated to both the arts and sciences. Its collections include more than 3,000 individual pieces of art and artifacts that span back more than four centuries in human history. Located at 933 Van Ness Avenue, the museum is a perfect stop for those interested in art and antiquity. In addition to standing collections, the museum hosts special exhibits and events.

Children’s Museum of the Sierra – Located in nearby Oakhurst, this museum is designed to provide a hands-on learning experience for children ages 2 to 12. It was founded in 1995 and is supported by the United Way of Madera County. Exhibits included range from those dedicated to career exploration to community, archaeology and the theater. The address is 49269 Golden Oak Drive, Suite 104.

Legion of Valor Museum – This 2425 Fresno Street museum is dedicated to honoring all veterans and serves to educate a new generation about their courageous acts and patriotism. The museum includes exhibits dedicated to World War II, the Civil War, service medals and more.

The Clovis Museum – Located in nearby Clovis, this museum is dedicated to telling the story of this town’s founding and history. It can be found at 401 Pollasky Avenue in the city’s business district.

Getting a taste of culture in Fresno is no problem at all. Thanks to the many Fresno museums, residents and visitors alike can get their fix of high art, science, history and more.