Home and Family

In light of the impending electricity tariff increase from 14% to 20% and more (depending on regions in South Africa), property owners are rapidly adopting privately owned, secondary, prepaid electricity metering solutions to help curb utility revenue collection risks on rentals.

Both commercial and residential tenants that have to pay higher electricity prices are also looking for solutions to monitor their electricity usage and try and save on usage as electricity bills are starting to increase and will probably continue year after year.
In addition to collection of rent, landlords also have to collect revenues from tenants for utilities consumed. Unlike rental, which is due on a given date, utility collection is problematic in that utility bills are only available to landlords in the month following that in which the utilities were consumed by the tenant.

For the tenants a completely different problem arises; they have no idea how much they are using until the electricity bill arrives, as no monitoring system is in place.

This means landlords must collect money for electricity and water in arrears, and tenants have to pay after the fact, which exposes the landlord to the risk of having to collect required amounts before the bill is due to be paid to the municipality. While tenants, are left without the ability to cut down on usage. In practice, this situation presents a risk to the landlord and uncomfortable bills for tenants. This is where the tenants dispute their billed amounts with the landlord, and the landlord collects electricity bills late.

Both for landlords and for tenants, this situation has never been the best, but since the electricity prices have been somewhat acceptable and not so high, both sides lived with the situation. Now with increases in electricity, bills are getting higher and cash flow tighter. Utilities revenue collection is becoming more of a problem than anyone wants to deal with. This situation can be easily avoided. Tenants can monitor their own usage while landlords can get their electricity bills paid in time all of the time. Making life easier all around.

To solve this problem for landlords and tenants, many residential and commercial landlords have turned to privately owned, secondary, prepaid electricity metering solutions to help that help reduce risk and improve cashflow on both sides.

These meters do not replace the existing municipal meter on a property and are installed inside the dwelling alongside the main distribution board. They serve to implement a system whereby tenants pre-pay the landlord in advance for electricity and so the tenants can monitor their usage and never again receive a surprise bill. With the landlord prepaid the risk of non-payment for electricity by the tenant is eliminated.

Electricity bills can be substantial but are traditionally higher during the winter months when people start using electrical heaters in an effort to stave off the cold. Geysers also start drawing more electricity as they cool down more frequently.

Non-payment by a tenant in these times can mean a substantial loss to landlords, who often rely on rentals for extra income or to cover mortgage payments. Tenants usually get a massive shock in winter when all of the sudden the bills are doubled. This situation creates a cash flow problem for them as well.

The risk associated with late payment or non-payment for electricity is dramatically increased as prices of electricity escalate. This also causes a bigger cash flow problem for tenants. Aware of this, an increasing number of Landlords are opting for the prepaid solution to avoid the associated financial risk of not doing so, and many tenants both residential and commercial are asking landlords to install prepaid meters to monitor their own usage.

While primary prepaid metering solutions are available from municipalities, obtaining a municipal solution is often a long and inefficient process. In majority of cases the municipal route can also be more costly than the price of buying and installing a secondary prepaid meter.

Municipalities are also willing to install only one prepaid meter per ERF, which is a problem for landlords with multiple tenant dwelling units or granny flats and commercial properties. A similar type of problem is also found in sectional title schemes where the building or complex is fitted with a single bulk meter, and resident billing is calculated based on a participation quota.

When compared with the municipal, primary meter option, from the perspective of a landlord, the privately owned, secondary, prepaid solution has a number of advantages. In addition to being easily purchased and installed at a lesser cost, the privately owned nature of the secondary prepaid meter means that the landlord not only remains in control of the utility management on the property, but experiences an improvement in cash flow and elimination of the risk of loss associated with non-payment of electricity.

For the tenants, cash flow improves when they can actually monitor their usage of electricity and never again get surprise electricity bills that eat into budget for other things, or end up in disputes for landlords.

Many tenants have been able to reduce their usage by having a meter in their own premises that shows them, on daily-basis, how much electricity they have remaining.

As electricity prices and other costs increase, the trend towards prepaid solutions seems to be gaining momentum as landlords strive for better management of the traditional risks associated with rentals.

Some people love to take long, luxurious baths. Others can’t wake up without a shower in the morning. Whichever you prefer, hydrotherapy, in the form of a bath or shower, is something almost everyone enjoys. There’s nothing better for waking us up in the morning than a nice, hot shower. And there’s nothing better for relaxing our bodies and soothing our minds into restful sleep than a bath before we go to bed. It lowers our body temperature and prepares us for sleep, naturally.

Scented Bath Salts

When I want to relax, I take a bath with these bath salts. I’ve been making them since the 70′s when I sold them at craft fairs. Now I make them for my own enjoyment. They’re so simple to make and leave your skin soft and silky. Kids love to watch them color the bath water and they’re not irritating like commercial kids’ bath products can be.

Ingredients:

2 Cups Sea Salt, Kosher Salt or Rock Salt

20 Drops Essential Oil

Add the essential oil to the salt. Spread it out on a cookie sheet covered with tin foil or parchment paper. (Don’t use paper towels, because they’ll absorb the scented oil.) When it’s dry, which may take as long as 24 hours or as little as 3, pour it into a pretty glass jar with a cover. If you like colored bath salts, use a couple of TBSPS of beet juice, or non-toxic food coloring to the salts with the essential oil. You can find non-toxic food coloring at Health Food Stores. To use, just scoop out about a half-cup and add to running water.

Remember, scent is a very personal thing. It’s wonderful to surround yourself with it in your own home. But it’s considerate to keep it very light or just not use it in public.

Scented Shower Gel

Ingredients:

1 Cup Water

1 1/2 Cups Liquid Glycerine Soap, Scented (Dr. Bronner’s or any natural brand)

2 TBSP Finely Milled Sea Salt

Natural Food Coloring (optional)

Add liquid soap to water. Do not add water to liquid soap, because you’ll have a kitchen full of suds. Stir in salt and coloring, if you want it. If it separates, shake gently before using.

Variations: Use unscented liquid soap and add about 20 drops of essential oil to it. Or add a stick of cinnamon, a tsp of ginger, nutmeg, vanilla, coconut or chocolate extract. Store in a shampoo bottle.

Simple Soothing Milk and Honey Bath

Ingredients:

2 Cups of Dry Milk Powder (I use organic)

2 TBSP of Dried Honey Powder (I use HoneySweet Brand)

2 Cups of Finely Processed Oats (I use my food processor)

12-20 drops of essential oil (I use half lavender and half rose)

Mix milk and honey powder in large bowl. I use a whisk. Add essential oil, mix well and put in a plastic bag or tightly covered jar. Let the powder absorb the oil for at least 24 hours. Add 1/2 cup under the tap while you’re running your bath. This is a good bath powder for children, although I omit the essential oil for children under 2, just in case it irritates them.

Babies are God’s way of letting us know that life is beautiful. They may seek constant attention yet are one of the most adorable creations. Ever wondered what it takes to keep a baby from crying? An introduction to baby care and baby products may prove to be useful.

Today, the market is profuse with baby products ranging from diapers, to baby soaps, baby oil and baby shampoo. There are a few renowned brands catering to the ever increasing demands of a growing baby. Baby products may be classified as follows:

Baby skin care:
The tender and delicate skin of babies needs extra attention. Baby skin care is therefore a pivotal part of grooming. Babies require mild creams and appropriate baby lotion that would keep the skin supple and moisturized. Bathing time is almost the most taxing as babies need extra attention and care. Baby products that aid in a lavish bath include exclusive baby soaps, baby shampoo, baby powder and moisturizing creams, ideally suited for an incredibly smooth skin.

Baby hair care:
Baby products for hair comprise shampoos and baby hair oil. There are several brands available in the market today which pay extra attention to formulae that is gentle on the hair and eyes. Baby oil is lightly perfumed and mild on the scalp while shampoos are lathery baby products. Despite this, care has been taken to make it light on the baby’s hair, eyes and scalp.

Accessories – significant baby products:
There are a few accessories which are indispensable to baby care especially during the different stages of growth. A few of them are explored below:

Baby bedding:
Bedding materials for a baby include baby blankets, baby fix pillow set and baby sleeping bag. They provide a cozy space for the baby and aid in an undisturbed slumber.

Baby carrier:
Baby carrier is useful when you consider taking the baby for an outing. They can be sometimes tied around your waist or hung around the shoulder.

Bouncer:
A bouncer is the safest baby care item during the little one’s early days. They are comfortable and keep the baby amused. Bouncers may be of two types namely battery operated and manual. The battery operated ones are expensive yet keep the baby happy with vibrations while the manual ones use the baby’s body weight to provide gentle rocking. You may choose the one, ideally suited for your baby.

Baby diapers:
An integral part of a baby’s life is diapers so much so that they almost delineate baby care and baby products. The types of diapers vary with the age of the little one and are classified as diapers for newborns, babies and toddlers. They were initially very expensive; but with the influx of myriad brands in the market; competitive pricing is inevitable. Soft and cottony baby diapers which are not too thick are ideal to keep your baby comfortable.

Besides the above mentioned products, there are quite a few aspects to baby grooming. You may choose from the array of baby products depending on what is idyllically suited for your little one.

Shopping online for baby products is an ideal option. Decide on what your baby needs and log in to get started. This is, by far, the easiest shopping option as the product display is wide; enhanced with informative description on each of the baby products.

Choosing the baby products cautiously and making the most of the options available will minimize the time and energy consumed in silencing a crying baby.

Gifts to India – Infibeam.com is an exciting new online destination and community that focuses on selling latest Mobiles, Books, Cameras, Apparels, Jewellery and Send Baby Care Products to India at guaranteed lowest price.

So, finally you have bought your dream home and also decorated it with all the contemporary accessories. Now comes the question of implementing home security measures. Often, we tend to overlook the importance of a home security system until it’s too late. It’s better to consider applying the safety measures before hand and save ourselves from any situation. Let us take a look at the best home security practices.

Add a whole house security alarm system. You can add separate alarm for the doors and windows of your home, deciding which doors or windows to have alarm enabled. Keep in mind that it will be more expensive if you want to install the alarms to a lot doors or windows, depending on how many you have. Ask your alarm system installer if they have any special offer that will help you in saving some money.

Add a live monitoring system service. It is definitely a good idea to invest into a home monitoring service. Home monitoring services can automatically contact police or fire when the alarms you have in your home are triggered. Conduct thorough research to find out the best service provider as quality of services may differ from company to company.

Home Security Systems and Home Security Measures

A security alarm system is not at all a complicated set up. First, you have to decide upon where you want to install the alarm control box. It can be your front door, back door, main window, anywhere. Once you have chosen the place, then you have to program a code in to the alarm. You are required to do this in order to successfully set the alarm and also to turn it off while you are at home. There may be a motion sensor included with the home alarm system. With a motion detector, your alarm will go off when it detects movement inside the house. This motion sensor acts as a back up in case someone gets into your house without tripping your alarm.

Outdoor alarm system. Outdoor home security alarm systems are programmed in such a way that they switch on the floodlights as soon as they detect some motion just outside your home. In the early years, an outdoor alarm used to go off even if there was just a cat or a stray dog strolling near your house but the modern ones are configured in such a way that they determine the weight and size of the intruder. So the chances of false alarms are almost zilch!

Use proper locks. If you have bought a second hand home, then make sure to change all the locks. You never know, the previous owner might keep a duplicate key with him. It’s better to take no chances at all and replace all the old locks with new ones. Not only should you put locks in the front doors but also install locks in the windows, if there isn’t any at the moment. This way you can ensure that nobody can enter your home through an open window.

Introduce yourself to your neighbors. Once you move into your new neighborhood, with no delay, introduce yourself and your family members to your immediate neighbors. If your neighbors know you well enough, then they can report to you or take necessary actions if they see any stranger trying to make an entry into your house.

Participate in community watch programs. If there is any thing such as community watch program in your locality, do take active part in it. This way your neighbors can keep a watch on your property in your absence and vice versa. This would definitely cut down a lot of crime.

Add video surveillance or wireless cameras. Adding CCTV or video surveillance is a very effective home security measure. You can use a wireless camera security system for video supervision, there are several transmitters and only one receiver that is linked to your TV. Some of the best security systems are those that include wireless security cameras.

Install a smoke detector. By installing smoke detectors in your home, you can have an advance warning if your house should happen to catch on fire.

Besides these aforementioned home security measures, you also have to be careful that your doors and windows are sturdy enough. Put grills in the windows if you have to. Also, see to it that there are lots of lights outside your house and that easy to get to ground floor windows have thorny bushes planted beneath them.

Thus, you see that there are a lots of home security options to take into consideration. In order to choose the security options that would suit you the best, you can go in for a risk assessment of your home. Several home security service providers offer risk assessment modules that will help in determining your individual needs, thereby letting you decide the correct type of security measure for your house.

Whichever home security system you have installed, make sure you understand how it works, so that you can enjoy your getaway without having to worry about the safety and security of your home.

Call it the golf and gala glut: the growing list of charitable parties, balls and outings aimed at raising funds for charitable causes from religious to educational to medical research. If your calendar has filled with worthy causes seeking your name and your wallet, you may want to consider channeling your time and money into a private family foundation.

If you think private family foundations belong to the Gates, Fords and Rockefellers of the world, you may be surprised by the estate planning industry’s rule of thumb: a foundation needs to have an annual minimum of about $25,000—from endowments, annual contributions or both—available for making grants. This may be prohibitive to estates under $2 million, but you certainly don’t need the more than $29 billion that Bill and Melinda Gates have put into their foundation.

You can also establish a stand by foundation, which is created to receive lifetime contributions or a major bequest, or a flow through foundation, which converts appreciated property into cash and distributes the proceeds to public charities but does not build up an endowment. A flow through foundation can provide tax benefits if you have highly-appreciated assets whose sale would result in significant capital gains taxes.

Individuals may deduct cash contributions to a private foundation up to 30 percent of the donor’s adjusted gross income (AGI) and appreciated property up to 20 percent of AGI. All contributions specified in a will are fully deductible for estate tax purposes.

Your foundation can be a non-operating foundation, meaning it makes grants to help fund the efforts of other organizations or individuals. The alternative is an operating foundation, which runs a facility or institution, such as a museum or research lab. Your foundation’s purpose can be as broad as world hunger or as specific as modest scholarships to a local liberal arts college.

Of course, private family foundations must operate according to tax law, including distributing at least 5 percent of assets each year and paying a 1-2 percent tax on investment income. However, as part of an overall retirement and estate plan, a private family foundation decreases the amount of taxable assets in your estate. You can make gifts to your foundation without affecting the annual gift tax exclusion or the gift tax credit.

For many high net worth individuals, a major attraction of the private family foundation is the greater control compared to a large lump-sum donation to a public charity or the less flexible charitable trust. While trust instruments, once finalized, can be difficult to change, a private foundation incorporated as a nonprofit can adjust its goals and mission over time.

With a private family foundation, you can for generations to come involve your family directly in the issues and activities that mean the most to you. Family members can even receive salaries as trustees, directors or employees of the foundation, provided they legitimately serve in those roles and their work justifies their salary.

A private family foundation can provide greater control of your charitable giving, income and estate tax benefits and a way to share your values with future generations. Creating a foundation requires careful consideration and planning. Please consult with your legal, tax and investment advisors for more information.