Bin There Dump That: One Man's Trash Blog

It’s been called the American Dream, but it’s hardly unique to the United States of America. It’s really more a universal dream: having the opportunity to create a life for yourself and your family. Part of that dream is to have a safe place to live.

For decades, Habitat for Humanity has worked to build homes for those in need using a network of volunteers. The organization has grown into an international organization, which as built or repaired more than 800,000 houses and served more than 4 million people around the world.

World Habitat Day

In 1985, the United Nations General Assembly declared the first Monday in October would be World Habitat Day.

Moves often rank among life’s more traumatic events. But a little planning can smooth the process immeasurably. Some of the things you need are fairly obvious — like a skilled moving crew.

But there might be a few things you haven’t considered. Here’s a look at eight indispensable tools to get you through your relocation.

It’s time to build that dream home. A beautiful half-acre paradise is located on the perfect spot on the cul-de-sac, on the perfect street, in the perfect community. You’re just not satisfied with the split-level colonial that currently occupies that space. It’s time to knock down that eyesore and build your own mini Versailles.

Home construction is an involved and varied process, but there is one constant companion you can have through the entire process: a Bin There Done That dumpster.

Your new home will require contact with a number of professionals, who will do everything from demolishing the old structure to putting the final touches on your home decor.

You’re on a roll: The rooms of your home are nearly as clean as the day you moved in and more so than any day since. Spring cleaning has continued through the summer, and it doesn’t look like there will be any reprieve in fall.

If your spouse or significant other is making vague allusions to Sherman marching through Atlanta, perhaps you might be going a bit overboard with the purge. Cleaning is good. Leaving your home looking like it was overrun by an invasion of rabid housekeepers might be a bit much.

There are always things you need to keep (at least for a period of time) — tax records, bank statements, kids birth certificates.

A clutter free home can be a reality. Just start asking yourself a one or all of the following questions to help you decide what to keep and what to drop into a Bin There Dump That bin. Declutter your home fast – starting now.

Home improvement projects add value to a home and improve the lifestyle of those living in it. Whether it leads to lounging in a luxurious bathroom suite or enjoying Mother Nature on a backyard patio the pleasures of home renovation projects are varied and many. The decision for homeowners is how to get those projects done.

There are a number of variables to consider when deciding whether to do the project yourself or hire a professional: Skill level, finances and free time are just a few.

But unless you do renovation for a living, there are some projects that its better to leave to the professionals.

The kids are finally out of the house. They’re starting careers of their own and the risk of them returning home has finally dwindled to near zero. Heck, the Chicago Cubs have a better shot of winning the World Series or the St. Louis Blues of winning the Lord Stanley’s Cup than you do of having your kids move back home again.

It’s time to downsize.

There are few things more rewarding than a job well done, especially when that job is a do-it-yourself home improvement project. DIY invokes that hearty, self-reliant spirit synonymous with the founding of North America. Of course, there’s another more modern thought that pervades the book-smart, somewhat soft suburban crowd: “I’ve got a guy for that.”

Whether it’s the myriad do-it-yourself websites or the 20th century version — books — the eternal debate rages on: Should I do it myself or should I hire a professional to get the job done?

There are several factors to consider. Consider these critical elements before you make your decision.

Changing jobs can be one of the most stressful events in anyone’s life. Add a job relocation, and you’re just piling on the challenges. But like most difficult activities, planning makes everything a little bit easier.

Here are 10 tips to make your relocation process simpler and less stressful.

Maybe you bought a fixer-upper. Or maybe your home is just a bit dated. After all, the last time somebody remodeled any room in the house was during the Eisenhower administration. Let’s face it; the paint scheme has gone from chic, to retro, to pathetic. The fixtures need fixing.

There are any number of home repair and remodeling projects that can give your home that much needed facelift. Some of them will even give you a pretty good return on your home renovation investment when you’re ready to sell your home.

According to Remodeling magazine, the peak year for return on investment (ROI) was 2005, when sellers earned back nearly 87 percent of the money they spent on remodeling projects. The number dropped every year until 2012 when the ROI was 57.7 percent in 2011-2012. There is good news, however: Those return on investment numbers increased last year to just over 60 percent. We can only hope that number increases as the housing market improves.

Of course, some remodeling projects offer more ROI than others. Here’s a look at eight home renovation projects that will get you the most bang for your buck when it comes time to sell your home. Values listed (unless otherwise noted) are from the 2013-2014 Cost Vs. Value Report from Remodeling magazine.

Canada and the United States share the longest border of any two countries anywhere on the globe: 8,891 kilometers (5,522 mi), including 2,477 kilometers (1,539 mi) shared with Alaska. The two countries actually share far more than a border, including our unofficial starts to summer. In Canada, that’s Victoria Day, the celebration of Queen Victoria — and south of the border, the holiday is Memorial Day, a time to honor soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Victoria Day is now enjoyed on the Monday before May 25, and Memorial Day is celebrated on the final Monday in May. Both countries celebrate with parades, barbecues and fireworks. In the United States, some also visit the graves of fallen soldiers.