Renters Insurance: Why You Need It

Many people don’t take advantage of renters insurance because of a common myth: the cost. Renters insurance is surprisingly inexpensive. For a small fee a month, normally between $10 and $20, you can save thousands of dollars in case you have to replace your belongings. In all honesty, I’d much rather pay about $10 a month than to pay over $200 to replace a lost television or over $500 for a new laptop.

Renters insurance also covers liability for anything you’re found negligent to have caused an accident or a fire. Basic renters insurance may run you as little as $100 a year. In my opinion, that’s a small price to pay for piece of mind and the reassurance of securing your precious belongings. This video shows what happens when people choose not to invest.

If you do not already have renters insurance, contact a leasing agent in the Talon Hill Apartments leasing office, and they’ll be glad to help.

Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

How to Care for Your Granite Countertops

Granite countertops in a kitchen gives you kitchen an upscale, luxurious feel. Talon Hill residents are fortunate their apartments come equipped with this desirable feature. However, its a good idea to be familiar with the care of the granite to protect it from damage.

Although, granite is extremely strong and durable, certain precautiions should be take to keep tthe countertops from becoming damaged or stained. If you pay attention to the care of your granite countertops, they will remain beautiful for many years to come.

Spills Should Be Cleaned Up Immediately
Beverages that are acidic, such as orange juice, alcoholic beverages and softdrinks, may cause damage to the countertop. Be sure to clean the spill up quickly with a damp paper towel or soft cloth. Water or a mild cleaner made specifically for granite countertops will work fine.

Avoid Putting Unnecessary Weight on Countertop Edges
Don’t put heavy items on the edges of the countertop. Granite is a durable product, but you still want to lower the chances of damage occuring to them. Don’t allow children to hang on them or use them to stand on when trying to reach items in a high cabinet.

Hot Dishes Need Protection Under Them
No countertop, whether it be granite or laminate, should have hot dishes placed on them without first putting down a trivet or hot pad.

Read the entire article here.

Photo courtesy of  Granite-Charlo

June is Adopt-A-Cat Month at Pikes Peak Humane Society

All across the nation, Humane Societies are ratcheting up for the increased influx of cats and kittens and that is why June is Adopt-A-Cat Month at the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region. Although it breaks my heart so many kittens and cats are abandoned or lost, at least we have an organization like the Humane Society to help care for the 15 to 20 cats which are brought in every day.

The Humane Society is already in crisis mode when it comes to cats because so many come in and only 4% of them are ever reclaimed or adopted. And what does that mean exactly? It means many of these precious animals are being euthanized. If you love kitties, why not help save more lives through adoption? The Pikes Peak Humane Society is sponsoring Feline Frenzy Caturdays every Saturday in June! And guess what? It’s a BOGO! Adopt one, get one free!

The Humane Society is pleading with the community to help them and this two-for-one pricing is being offered as an incentive. For a low $48 adoption fee, you can take home 2 kitties and each of them will have had a rabies shot and a microchip implant! That’s a deal!

Our Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region serves approximately 34,000 animals a year and is the largest animal shelter in southwest Colorado. Maybe if you are unable to adopt, you could help them with a donation? To donate online, visit www.hsppr.org.

Photo courtesy of  The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region

How to Start a Container Garden

Have you thought about making your outdoor patio or deck into a retreat? Would you like to have some plants nearby but aren’t sure how to begin? Well, view this video by Home Depot about making your own container garden and you will be off to a good start!

Remember! Annual Fire Inspection May 25th-27th.

Hi everyone,

Just a friendly reminder, it is time again for our annual fire safety inspection. We will be testing the fire alarm, inspecting sprinkler heads, inspecting fire extinguishers (leave yours under the kitchen sink), changing out the air filters, installing carbon monoxide detctors (if you don’t have one already), testing CO and Smoke detectors, turning off space heater in water heater closet.

You do not have to come home for this inspection. Please make sure that you leave your front door privacy lock unlocked so that we can enter to complete this mandatory inspection. We thank you so much for choosing Talon Hill and for your cooperation!

May 25th: Buildings 1605, 1575, 1550, 1545
May 26th: Buildings 1520, 1670, 1665, 1455, 1460
May 27th: Buildings 1445, 1405, 1450, 1485, 1490

Photo courtesy szlea

Save Money by Keeping Your Kitchen Clean

Sometimes, as I am driving home from work, I make a conscious decision to stop and pick up something to eat or to gather everybody up and go out to dinner. I just don’t want to face cooking and then having to clean up those dishes. I’m just too tired. However, I have noticed that my budget has gone on tilt lately and I have realized it’s because we are eating out too often.

So now I have devised a new plan that helps me to eat at home and stay on budget. Here are a few tips for those of you in the same boat.

1. Clean as you go. This means when you finish with a bowl or utensil, rinse it and put it in the dishwasher. While you are waiting for water or something else to heat up, wipe the counters down where you were just prepping the dish.
2. Sweep and shake. Sweep the floor and shake out rugs immediately after dinner. This will prevent gook from getting squashed into your rugs or drying on your tile.
3. Prepare casseroles on the weekend. Eating in is certainly more cost-effective, let alone healthier. Take a few hours over the weekend to make-ahead a couple of easy casseroles for freezing.
4. Paper versus China. Use paper plates and disposable utensils a couple of nights a week.
5. Salad Night. One night a week, have a simple salad. Easy to prepare and good for you.

More tips available at Living on a Dime.

Photo courtesy of  independentman

Men vs. Women for the Almighty Dollar

Why is it women are still battling for their fair share of the pie? The salary pie, that is. According to the US Census Bureau, women still only earn 77 cents to a man’s dollar.  It’s just not fair, but fair or not, men and women are judged differently for doing the same job.  How? Let’s look at a few ways corporate management sterotypes women.

1. Assertive Men. Agressive Women.
A double negative applies to the pursuit up the corporate ladder. Men are raised to be strong and assertive, but let a woman assume that role within the office environment and she’s labeled as difficult and too agressive. Personally, I think men still look at us as the weaker sex and a strong, dynamic women is intimating to their psyche.

2. Men are Direct. Women are Wishy-Washy
It is imperative to have good and direct communication in order to make yourself heard and men seen to always drown a woman out because their tone and demeanor is direct, emphatic and loud. Women lower their posture and tend to phrase everything as if it’s a question. Stop it! Sit up straight, speak out and be brave!

3. Passionate Men. Emotional Women.
Men are seen as passionate when they get defensive over a difference of opinion, but women are seen as argumentive and emotional if they raise their voice or speak with a disagreeing tone.

It is difficult for a woman to hang on in a man’s world, but it can be done. The first step is to recognize the pitfalls and preconceived notions that a man-based corporated America might be embracing. Then find ways to make your point and secure your rights without intimidating the “real” weaker gender…men.

Read more about gender profiling.

Photo courtesy of  ciagnut

Talon Hill May Newsletter

Happy Mother’s Day!

“A mother is not a person to lean on, but a person to make leaning unnecessary.”

- Dorothy Canfield Fisher

Photo courtesy of Jessica.Garro

Fort Carson Cinco De Mayo Celebration at “Alternate Escapes”

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