By John Fischermr.fixit@mvparentonline.com
It is hard for me to believe that it is already March. Even though most would not agree, I think the winter has gone by fast. March is an excellent time to plan your spring and summer needs and activities.
Make a list of the types of things that need to be done in terms of repairs or improvements to your vehicles, your home and/or your surroundings. With the economy a mess, you may need to prioritize by need and or by price. Let’s face it, there are some things that just can’t wait. By planning ahead you may be able to take some stress out of your life.
If you need the services of a contractor, March is a great time to start looking around and getting references for someone to do the work. Don’t just pick a contractor out of the phone book. Talk to people who have had similar work done. I know there is a website that addresses this but I can’t recall the web address. If you are familiar with it, please e-mail the address to me and I will include it in next month’s MV Parent. Remember, the earlier you line people up the better the chances of the work starting on time, especially if it is outside work. When the weather doesn’t cooperate, contractors tend to get behind and jobs may get pushed back. A perfect example of this would be if you need a new roof. Be sure to book a contractor early in the season for two reasons. It is best to have the work done when it is warm and dry outside. Heat makes the shingles seal better. Secondly, I recently talked to a roofer and he indicated that he always gets a letter from his supplier before every price increase so he knows the current price when he bids a job! He just got a letter at the end of February and, you guessed it, prices are going up again. You may be able to save money if you buy the supplies now and put them in your garage until the contractor can install them. This strategy would hold true for any expensive materials or equipment. Regardless of what the contractor tells you, never pay a contractor before the job is completed. You may, however, need to pay for materials that are on your property. Installments at various stages of completion are acceptable with the last payment after the job is completed to your satisfaction.
If you need to have equipment serviced, do it now and avoid the rush. Whether you do it yourself or hire it done, don’t wait until the grass needs mowing and then find out you have a problem. As you can see, I am a planner but believe me it alleviates a lot of stress! The same would hold true for things that need to be done to cars, bicycles, pools etc.
Helpful Household Hints:
When painting a room, if you are going to use the roller the next day with the same color paint, wrap the roller up tightly in a plastic grocery bag.
When removing a wet roller cover from the handle, slip a plastic bag over the cover to keep your hands clean.
We have many devices and toys in our homes that require batteries. Remember that batteries last just so long. Don’t forget to check the date on them so you can replace them before they have a chance to leak and ruin the item.
When kids outgrow a battery-powered toy, don’t forget to remove the batteries before storing the toy for an extended length of time.
