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Store Brands Vs. Brand Names: Which Is Really Cheaper?

As you walk the aisles of a supermarket or drugstore, you’ll see a handful of different brands selling similar products. Whether you’re buying frozen vegetables, contact solution, or cleaning supplies, you’ll have the option to purchase your product from whichever brand you like best. Or maybe you’re looking to buy the least expensive option possible, in which case, you’ll want to consider the store brands versus brand names debate.

Savvy shoppers the world over have long insisted that buying store-brand goods instead of brand-name goods is an easy way to save money while charging next to nothing about your shopping list and habits. But which is actually cheaper? Read on to find out.

Are store-brand items always cheaper?

Common knowledge would suggest that the answer to this question is yes. Other investigations have shown that the answer is a bit more open-ended. Let’s say you’re choosing between a jar of peanut butter by your favorite name brand and a jar of store-brand peanut butter that you find less appealing. You might be considering spending the extra money for the brand-name peanut butter, but that might not be a concern – certain investigations have shown that the brand-name item can be cheaper.

That’s because supermarkets and drugstores sometimes run sales on name brands while they don’t do so on their own store-brand products. It’s also uncommon to see store-brand items in the coupon books that you might rifle through for deals at your local supermarkets. If you play your cards – or, more accurately, clip your coupons – right, it isn’t always true that store-brand is cheaper.

Why do brand-name items sometimes cost more?

In the event that brand-name items are more expensive, you might want to know why. Part of the higher price tag you sometimes see on brand-name items can be chalked up to the other expenses that the company incurs: the brand name itself, marketing, research and development, and more.

Store brand items, on the other hand, do not have the value of the brand name attached. This could be because the product itself is generic, or in the case of medication, the patent may be expired so any pharmaceutical company can manufacture it. Thus, the store can simply slap their logo and a stock photo onto the packaging without thinking too much about the effect on shoppers – and with that comes decreased manufacturing and Google Maps Marketing costs.

Are there quality differences between store-brand and brand-name?

If quality is crucial for your enjoyment, you might be wondering whether the lower price tag you often see on store-brand items indicates a lessening in quality. Research using blind taste tests has shown that store-name foods can taste just as good as brand-name foods. For non-food items such as soap and medicine, you can safely assume no difference in quality if the ingredients on the store-brand box exactly match the ingredients on the brand-name box.

What items should I always buy store-brand?

Despite research showing that the distinction between store-brand and brand-name is smaller than you might think, you might be safer buying certain items store-brand. Paper goods are perhaps the best example, and your life experience probably proves it – certainly, you’ve bought store-brand paper towels only to be disappointed by how much less absorbent they are than the name brands. Experts recommend sticking to name brands for electronics and baby care products too, as a similar decline in quality is often seen with these items too.

Do you buy a store-brand or brand-name, and why? Sound off in the comments!

 

Published at Fri, 22 Nov 2019 14:22:13 +0000

The city of Boston is renowned for its beautiful surroundings and both modern and classic buildings. People who are looking to live in this area will find that they have a choice that cannot be found in many other cities due to the fact that a lot of the older buildings are still standing today. There are also a lot of new developments and projects going on all the time. Here are some apartments for rent Boston area choices.

Boston has a wide diversity of cultures and influences throughout its city and this can be seen in its variety of properties. Moving into the central city area there is a range of contemporary high-rise luxury apartments for rent. These are greatly suited to individuals who live a fast-paced life and are looking to stay close to the city center so they are not too far from the nightlife and their place of work. Apartments for Rent Boston nightlife and activities. The nightlife consists of many diverse restaurants ranging from cultures all over the world. There are also a lot of activities to do like going to the cinema and of course seeing some of the many large sports teams that have a home in this city. Anyone who is looking some game time action
will be able to support their local team by visiting the Boston Celtics
arenaScience Articles, the TD Garden. Here you will be able to see an NBA championship team playing on a regular basis. If basketball is not your cup of tea then there are the New England Patriots who are an extremely good NFL team and the Boston Red Sox if you are into baseball. For those who want to live in a more classic style home, there are a lot of brownstone Panama city homes for rent that are still the main type of property in the Back Bay area. Most of these homes have now been converted into apartments and you’ll be able to find yourself a very nice living quarters in a friendly neighborhood. The prices in Boston can range from $500 going all the way up to $5000 per month. It depends on the type of room that you are looking for and obviously the area that it in. On average a contemporary studio apartment can be found for around $700-$800 per month. This is an extremely good rate for the area considering all of the local amenities that are to hand. Boston is currently undergoing a lot of regeneration in many areas and the Italian community has definitely seen a large change in the suburbs where they live. This is attracting a lot more people to the area and is stimulating the property market around. Before one does decide to make a move to look for apartments for rent Boston is definitely an exciting place and should be considered but one should do their research first. Visiting the areas that you would like to live in is important before you put down a deposit.

When making arrangements for your Valencia apartments for rent, why not start your journey of discovery at the beginning in Xativa, the capital of commerce of La Costera? This fortified village has a castle set on the town’s highest point protected by a Roman and Iberian fortress that has become one over the centuries. This now protected precinct contains thirty towers with four fortified doors.

With this all around you, take a walk through the market where the San Pedro and Moncada streets cross. At this point, you can almost feel the grandeur of the court life that must have taken place here those centuries ago. The townhouses from that period still have their aristocratic shields on the entrance that is further enhanced by the Gothic fountains in this little village. As you roam around the castle hill take note of the town hall and church that are constructed in part with inscribed Roman masonry along with a number of Houses for Rent in Ocean Springs from the Moorish era. Among the many churches and convents in the collegiate church, once a cathedral from 1414 only to be rebuilt in a Renaissance style a century later.

The next region on our itinerary is Albaida, the white city. This area with contrasting landscape due to its location between the Grossa and Creu Mountains to the north and the Mariola and Benicadell Mountains in the south forms the Albaida valley with the Clariano and Albaida Rivers running through it. Also located here besides the village of Albaida are the Ontinyent, Bocairent and Lolleria villages making up the community of the Albaida Valley.

Be sure to bring your swimming suit with you from your Valencia apartments for rent on this sojourn to Bocairent as the access road is the beginning of the Clariano River. On a hot summer day there is nothing better than a swim in the cool spring water. The area surrounding the river with its natural landscape is known as Pou Clar which is where the walls have been excavated for a cave dating back to prehistoric times. This is apropos for your entrance into the village of Bocairent with some parts carved from rock. In addition to this, there are two rivers that emanate from this area creating ravines and cliffs surrounding the city. This medieval city is a must-visit on this journey of discovery.

From your holiday lodgings, you have started on your journey of discovery covering the realm of monuments. While you are out in the countryside you will enjoy a taste of nature. This is a good time to explore the possibilities of cycling, canoeing, rappelling, horseback riding, rock climbing and paragliding on offer in this rural setting.

Five Ways to Save on Your Winter Heating Bill

When it’s cold out, few things compare to the rush of warmth that passes through you as you step into your apartment from the outside world. Keeping your apartments in Duluth temperature bearable tends to get a bit pricey, but if you cherish warmth, you’re likely OK with your winter utility costs going up just a bit. And if you follow these five ways to save on your winter heating bill, your costs might not go up all that much.

1. Lower your thermostat

Definitions of room temperature range from 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, so keep your thermostat at the low end of this range to minimize your heat bill while maintaining a comfortable temperature. For additional heating bill savings, lower your heat to a number between 55 and 60 degrees at night – your body doesn’t need as warm of temperatures for sleep, and you’ll spend significantly less money heating your apartment to this lower temperature. For the ultimate control over how warm your apartment is and when, consider shifting to a smart home thermostat.

2. Use ceiling fans, but do so carefully

When you think of ceiling fans, you likely think of another way to stay cool during the most oppressive summer days. During the hot months, fans that spin counter-clockwise push cool air down toward you, and in the winter, you can set them to do the opposite. Fans that spin clockwise push warm air down and bring cool air upward, providing an inexpensive boost to your heating system, which won’t have to work as hard to keep your apartment warm.

3. Get some sun

No, stepping outside in the dead of winter won’t make you or your apartment warmer, but knowing how to use the sun’s natural light and warmth to heat your apartment can make a difference. Windows that face south or west receive sunlight at the warmest times of day, and as this sunlight passes through these windows into your apartment, your home will feel warmer. Just make sure to shut your curtains or blinds at night to help prevent the nighttime cold from seeping in.

4. Cover leaks

Just because your window looks fully sealed doesn’t mean that it is. Even the thinnest of gaps between the top of your window and its frame can slowly let cold air creep into your apartment. You might not feel the impacts of these gaps unless you stand or sit directly next to them, but a drafty window or an ill-sealed door frame can easily lower your apartment’s temperature. For a quick home solution, use plastic film or tape to cover any gaps.

5. Layer up properly

If you’re committed to keeping your thermostat low but still feel a bit cold, you might be tempted to throw on sweatpants and a sweater. This is a good start, but it’s all for nothing if you think that being home means you should be barefoot. When your feet are cold, there’s no hope for your body to stay warm, so make sure to wear socks around your apartment even if you’d rather let your feet fly free. Even curling up under a thick blanket only goes so far without socks.

How do you save money on your winter heating bills? Share your tips in the comments!

 

Published at Wed, 27 Nov 2019 14:27:30 +0000

Can Your Landlord Legally Control Your Heat?

As a renter, you may have compromised some of your Bala Cynwyd apartments “wants,” like a pool and clubhouse, for the more basic apartment “needs” like proximity to work, two bedrooms or affordability.

While some sacrifices can reasonably be made when choosing an apartment, basic needs like fair treatment, a secure door, leak-free roof and access to heating and hot water should be non-negotiable. Whether you live in an apartment, flat or duplex, you want your space to have livable conditions and feel like home. And you also want to have a reasonable amount of control to make that happen.

So, you may be wondering if your landlord can control the utilities, such as your heat. While it may seem like a no-brainer, the answer is complicated and depends on where you live. Let’s take a look at the rules and regulations for landlords and tenant rights when it comes to things like heat and hot water in apartments in Bala Cynwyd buildings.

 

What is my landlord required to provide?

Property owners are held accountable for the implied warranty of habitability. Simply put, this means that landlords are required to provide safe and livable conditions for their tenants, and renters have the right to a livable property.

While requirements can vary by city and state, landlords are generally responsible for:

• Maintaining the structure of the building’s interior and exterior
• Keeping hallways, stairways and common areas clean and well-maintained
• Operating plumbing, sewage and ventilation
• Checking for environmental hazards
• Exterminating rodents and insects
• Supplying cold and hot water in appropriate quantities and at reasonable times
• Providing heat in appropriate quantities and during reasonable times

The “landlord must provide heat and hot water to tenants,” said Samuel Evan Goldberg of Goldberg & Lindenberg. “The hot water must be a minimum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Landlords are required to provide heat during the months of October 31 through May 31. If the outside temperature is 55 degrees or below between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM it must be at least 68 degrees in the apartment building and between 10:00 PM. and 6 AM the inside temperature must be 62 degrees,” Goldberg explained.

Can my landlord control the heat?

So, under the implied warranty of habitability, landlords must provide access to heat. However, they can control it and they aren’t obligated to pay for it. Now that we’ve covered what landlords are required to provide, let’s discuss if they can control the heat.

David Resischer, Real Estate Attorney & CEO of LegalAdvice.com said, “Some multiple dwelling units only have a single thermostat and state laws typically do not restrict the ability of a landlord to control the heat in any of the tenant units. However, most state laws do require a landlord to provide and also to maintain heat at a designated temperature, typically at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit.”

What are the laws?

There are regulations and laws in place nation-wide to protect both landlords and tenants. But, since climate and temperature changes so drastically from one region to another, laws can vary by city and state. For instance, landlords are required to provide heat, but they’re not required to provide air conditioning in all states.

Arizona laws require landlords to provide, “reasonable heat and reasonable air-conditioning or cooling where such units are installed and offered, when required by seasonal weather conditions.” Because Arizona can reach dangerous temperatures in the summer, landlords are required to provide access to AC for tenant’s safety.

While that may be true in Arizona, it’s not the case in New York. Scott Stevensen, a New York City renter said, “Because there is no AC in some buildings, the tenant is left to buy an AC unit that fits in the old window frames where one lifts the window frame up and down — not sideways. The whole cost of electricity is almost always borne the tenant.”

To see what laws your state has in place, check out your state’s laws and regulations to see what landlords can and cannot do.

What to do if the landlord doesn’t follow through?

So, what happens if your landlord fails to provide heat, or controls it in such a way that isn’t livable? You have a few options:

• Schedule a meeting with the landlord and try to discuss the problem in person
• Write a formal complaint, make a copy and give it to your landlord to read
• Contact your local code enforcement officer

“If the landlord fails to provide heat or hot water, the tenant should call 311 and schedule an inspection date for an HPD inspector to inspect,” Goldberg said. “Once HPD issues a heat and hot water violation, which would be considered a C violation, it must be repaired immediately. Any other C violations, the Landlord has 24 hours to make the repair. If the landlord still fails to bring back the heat and hot water, the tenant should bring an HPD proceeding in housing court. The proceeding is predicated upon the HPD violation report and the judge will tell the landlord to repair the defective conditions in the tenant’s apartment. If the landlord fails to make the repairs, the judge could order civil penalties and in some cases, even hold the landlord in contempt of court.”

Know your rights

Ideally, you’ll have great landlords who meet your basic needs (and more). While that’s the dream, it doesn’t always happen that way. So, it’s smart to know your rights and fully understand your lease as a renter and know what you’re entitled to.

At a minimum, renters should have a clean, safe, well-maintained apartment that meets their basic human needs.

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice. Readers are encouraged to seek professional financial or legal advice as they may deem it necessary.

 

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Published at Fri, 29 Nov 2019 13:00:01 +0000

Ways to make your space feel bigger when you meditate

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In a world that moves at a breakneck pace, finding time to slow down and quiet your mind is difficult—and it’s also essential. Many people turn to meditation to help. The practice guides the mind to a calmer place using breathing techniques, mantras, and imagery. It can be as simple as breathing deeply and repeating a phrase or as complicated as traveling to a different plane tucked away in the recesses of your imagination. Either way, you need a quiet, calm space to do it in order to really reap the benefits of meditation. Here’s how to make your Mauldin apartments feel bigger when you meditate.

1. Oust any clutter.
   One of the most obvious ways to make your space feel larger is to rid it of any stuff that’s non-essential. Purging extra clutter is a good habit to get into, whether you meditate or not. Donate any knick-knacks, furnishings, and decor that you don’t really need in order to open up some space for your meditative practice. This will make it even easier to get into the zen zone.
2. Welcome natural light.
   When sunshine comes streaming into your home, it makes your world a bit brighter and bigger. Harness the power of natural light and pick a corner for meditation with ample windows. The sunny rays, and the view visible through the windows, will make your meditation nook feel instantly more spacious.
3. Enlist neutral hues.
   While dark colors tend to make a room feel smaller, light and neutral tones do just the opposite. Whites, creams, and shades of beige create the illusion of extra space. So when you pick furnishings for your meditation area (or for any room in your home, really), opt for these lighter colors instead of dark, bold hues. If you already have darker furniture in the area where you intend to meditate, there’s no need for a full makeover. Just add some lighter elements, like a whitewashed throw blanket or set of pillows.
4. Just add mirrors.
   Mirrors instantly add square footage to your home, almost in the same way that a window does. The reflection seemingly doubles the size of any space. Affix a mirror to your wall or find a small stand-alone mirror that you can incorporate into your meditation nook.
5. Strategically place your pillow.
   One essential that every meditation space must have is a cushy pillow for you to perch on. Pick your pillow and then arrange it strategically to make your space feel larger. Instead of pushing it up against the wall, pull it out at least six inches. This is an old trick for arranging furniture. When you let your furnishings float, the room feels bigger. When they connect with the wall, that seems to suck up space—or, at least, make a room look smaller. You can use this tip with any piece of furniture or decor in your meditation area.

How to Make a Small Room Look Bigger: 25 Tips That Work [StyleCaster]

5 Steps to Creating the Perfect Home Meditation Space [Yoga Journal]

10 Sneaky Ways to Make a Small Space Look Bigger [The Nest]

Published at Sat, 01 Dec 2018 20:53:45 +0000

Many apartments for rent available are in our city. The standard rent may vary from $400 per month up to $1500 for a luxury suite. This price is for a one-bedroom apartment with a fully fitted kitchen and a full bathroom.

Usually, you have to put a security/damage deposit in as well. Such a deposit normally is equal to half a month rental price. In some cases, utilities are included in the price, and in others, they are not. If paid separately utility costs vary depending on usage.

One of my sisters was very fortunate to find a nice apartment for rent in a very quiet building for only $550 per month. And it’s only a few blocks away from where I live. In fact, she’s paying a bit more as there is an additional fee of $35 per month that goes for using the indoor underground parking. In her building, there are also some additional extras like cable TV, air conditioning and an indoor pool, that are available to tenants’ families.

Another popular type of apartment for rent that is widely available are the so-called bachelor apartments or studios. Their rent varies between $250 and $600 per month because they only consist of a large room with a modest kitchenette and bathroom facilities. And as you can guess they are really only suitable for a single person. Usually, the lowest range ones are in fact old damp and dark basement, and most of them are in such a condition that living there is a real danger. All the bugs and vermin they often host create such health hazards that it’s not rare at all, the City to close them down and warn the public about such inhuman dwellings.

Unfortunately, there is another type of apartment for rent offered in our town that is even worse. In fact, they are not apartments at all, they are only rooms, usually situated in an old ex-boarding house. Places like these do often attract prostitutes, drug addicts and all types of underground world members. Apart from being very filthy and unsanitary, such dwellings are also extremely dangerous because of the people who stay there. Murders in such types of dwellings do happen on a regular basis.

Of course, there are great apartments for rent too – situated in the most prestigious areas of the city and are often with bigger size than some homes. They do usually offer top quality and of course feature additional facilities like saunas, spas, and gyms available for their tenants. Laundry and dry-cleaning along with concierge services are not a rarity at all. And all that comes at the corresponding price, that’s usually in the $2000+ per month range.

There are also people who do offer apartments for rent situated in their own Pensacola Houses for Rent. In case the house is way too big for one family only there is nothing bad in converting it into a duplex or triplex and renting out. And many people have done so. But the most important downside of those is that being in fact one house they have very thin inner walls that allow noise to spread easily to the other units and no one actually has any privacy there.

So as expected, there is such a wide variety of apartments for rent offered in the City, that they can suit any rental range or family situation possible. Actually anybody can find one that suits him.