Mission Ranch Apartments

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Moving, decorating and keeping up an apartment can be expensive, but you can cut costs in an instant by finding new uses for old items. The concept is hot enough to merit its own collection of catch phrases. Whether you call it repurposing, upcycling or creative reinvention, the habit remains a clever way to save loads of cash.

Household Recyclables

Milk jugs: Don’t chuck that milk jug just yet. It has a flurry of uses. Rinse it, keep the cap and cut off the bottom one-third of the plastic jug. You have an instant scooper you can use for dog food, potting soil or anything else that needs scooping.

Thick boxes and containers: Heavy-duty cardboard boxes, milk crates and other storage-type containers can do double duty as a new item. Throw a table cloth or piece of decorative fabric on top and, voila!, you have an instant end table or night stand.

If the box or container is thick enough to stand on its side with one end open, you have an automatic storage area that is out of sight but within easy reach. It makes a great place to stash bedside books, couch-side magazines or miscellaneous items for a quick clean-up fix when guests are at the door.

Small containers: If you’re like many folks, you probably somehow end up with a small collection of plastic or ceramic containers you keep because they appear useful or look cool. In either case, you can give them new life as bud vases, soap holders or art supply and hardware bins. They also make dandy gift boxes for small items.

Old Clothing

Skirts: Maxi-skirts and other clothing items with long, flowing fabric can end up as décor all over your home. A few safety pins and creative positioning and you have a fabulous table cloth, couch cushion cover or window dressing. Even if the item does not cover the full window or large table, it can serve as an underskirt or colorful enhancement to existing covers.

Socks: That poor lone sock that lost its mate in the dryer can be happy again when you put it to good use. Cut off the bottom and the tube area of longer socks works as a bandage cover on arms and legs to keep gauze and other wound coverings in place. Longer tubes can also hold dried floral arrangement or other items in a bundle, making them easier to display and store.

And the foot part of the stock? Fill the foot with potpourri or your favorite dried herbs, secure the opening with a rubber band and you have an instant sachet. Make a hand puppet for the little people in your life. Take a cue from RealSimple.com and secure the sock around the bottom of chair or table legs as a floor protector the next time your rearrange your furniture.

When it comes to finding new uses for old items, anything goes. The more creative you can get, the better, and the more money you can expect to save.

Crisis Management: How to Handle Winter Hazards
Faith Hinz January 28, 2014
This winter has already been a rough one for many parts of the country, and it’s far from over. Winter weather has the potential to be damaging to your property, and it can pose a hazard to your residents, too. Read on for some tips to keep your residents – and your building – safe during the winter months.

Be Prepared

There is nothing worse than being unprepared for a snowstorm. Make sure you’re stocked up on winter supplies like shovels and ice melt. You will also want to check to make sure your snow blower is in good working order. Put a reminder on your calendar to do these things in the fall so you are prepared for early snowfalls.

Prevent Falls

Snow and ice can lead to slips and falls. Check with your city to see who is responsible for snow removal and when it has to happen. You can usually find this information on your city’s website. If you are responsible, make sure to clear snow from parking lots, common areas, walkways and emergency exit doorways. It’s also a good idea to distribute sand or ice melt as an extra precaution to prevent falls. You also need to decide if your own maintenance crew will handle snow removal or you’ll hire a third party to take care of it.

Prevent Pipe Freezes

When the forecast calls for falling temperatures, remind your residents to keep their heat at a certain temperature to prevent the pipes from freezing. In older buildings, opening a cabinet door to allow the pipes to stay warm and running a faucet on a slow trickle will also help prevent freezing. Communicate this information in several ways to make sure you reach everyone. Send an email to all residents, drop flyers at each unit and hang signs in common areas like the leasing office, clubhouse and fitness center.

Check in on Vacant Units

Ask your maintenance staff to check vacant units and other spaces to make sure the heat is working and windows are sealed tight. Ask residents to let you know when they will be out of town for extended periods of time so your staff can check in on their units, too.

What precautions do you take during the winter to keep your community safe? And what communication methods do you find works best in these situations?

Detox Your Life - Mesquite "Keeping it Green"
Greener Laundry and the Best New Ways to Get Those Clothes Clean - See more at: http://guides.greentowns.com/detox-your-life .Y5mbfXuy.dpuf

Detox Your Life: - Green Towns Guides Green Living » Green On A Budget » Save $$ Green Your HomePosted by: Starre VartanIn: Save $$ Green Your Home|comment : 0Detox Your Life: Greener Laundry and the Best New Ways to Get Those Clothes CleanLaundry actually has a pretty significant impact on the environment. Whether you choose hot or col...