How to Negotiate a Pay Increase in a New Job Offer or in Your Current Job

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Hey, who can’t use a little more cash and never has the job market been tipped more in favor of the worker.  Time to make sure you get your share of the good times.  Here are five tips to negotiate a pay increase.

  1. Think creatively. There are lots of compensation other than salary.  What about the bonus schedule, PTO (paid time off), employer reimbursements (phones, mileage, home office) and tuition reimbursements are just a few.
  2. Think timing. Don’t bring up compensation early in the interview process.  Set the hook first.  Let them get to the point where they want you, then start negotiating pay.  If you’re at an existing job, wait until you’ve just done something great for the company to ask for more money.  But even then, temper your enthusiasm with the reality that if the company is losing money or having a difficult time, the timing is not right to ask for an increase.
  3. Think turn around. What if an employer asks you how much you’re making now?  Turn this question around by stating that, “you’d like to postpone the conversation until you understand more about the position because there are many components to compensation. But let’s not waste each other’s time – what is the range of pay that you’ve budgeted for this position?”
  4. Think game plan. If you present your case to your present employer and get vague promises or a tepid response, try breaking the increase into two parts with the second adjustment predicated on meeting objective performance metrics.  Follow up any such agreements with an email just to make sure that you understood your employer correctly and to insure against future foggy memories.
  5. Think negotiation. Just because you got an offer to go elsewhere doesn’t mean you should just immediately jump ship.  What about going to your current employer and expressing how much you love the company and love your job but you just got this offer that you can’t ignore?  Inquire about your future with the company and what promotions or pay increases might be looming in the near future.  Give your current employer a chance to beat the offer if you really do like your current job.

06 03 2022 Pay Increase 300x166 - How to Negotiate a Pay Increase in a New Job Offer or in Your Current Job

Amp Up Your Side Hustle

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Nothing like a little Covid disruption to get you started thinking about a new gig, or perhaps just making more of a go of it on something that used to be a hobby.  Now more than ever it’s easy to get a side hustle going.  Here are a few pointers to get you started.

  1. Think Business Structure. This doesn’t have to be complicated.  Most people start as sole proprietors or if another person is involved, then it’s a partnership.  B
  2. ut either entity could be rolled into a Limited Liability Company or LLC.  This is just like it sounds – an entity that automatically limits your liability under the law.  Why wouldn’t you want this?  Who knows what could go wrong.  Yes, you’ll want to keep appropriate insurance in addition to forming your LLC.  But forming an LLC demonstrates that you’re serious and you know something about what you’re doing.  You can form an LLC online for a few bucks at wdfi.org.
  4. Think Financial Separation. Hopefully your new business is going to generate lots of revenue.  For sure it’s going to generate expense and those expenses may be tax deductible.  Your tax reporting will be a lot easier if you have separate accounts for your business.  So get a business checking account and perhaps a business credit card as well.
  5. Think Bookkeeping. Not exciting, I know.  But having accurate records is crucial to any business.  How do you know if you’re making any money or not?  Besides engaging in the financial separation described above, you’ll want to take record keeping to the next level by using an accounting software package.  There’s lots of good, inexpensive software out there and they’re not hard to learn.  Pick one and keep good records.
  6. Think Network. Somebody else has already cracked the nut on how to be super successful doing just what you’re doing or something very similar.  Forget what you were taught in school and copy them!  The marketplace isn’t going to reward you for figuring out on your own stuff that is already commonly know in your industry.  So make friends and pick their brains.
  7. Think Sales. Every business is going to need someone to hustle the product or service and that someone is you.  Learn how to sell and you’ll never be hungry or broke.  There are plenty of books on this topic for free at the library.

Now get going!

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How to Keep Your Apartment Cool

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how to keep apartment cool - How to Keep Your Apartment Cool

Images Source: Pexels

If you’re struggling to find a balance between a high energy bill and a nice, cool, apartment, you’re not alone. Lucky for you, there are plenty of ways to keep your apartment at a decent temperature without having to constantly run your air conditioner.

Install a Window Film to Block Heat

Not all apartments will have energy-efficient windows. If you want to enjoy natural lighting without letting the heat in, window film is a wonderful way to get the best of both worlds. You’ll be able to keep your blinds open and soak up the rays, without having to crank up the AC to counter it. The film sticks to the glass and prevents the heat from getting in.

You can get it from your local hardware store in a variety of configurations. Privacy window film will make it harder to see into your apartment from the outside, too. Make sure you buy something that offers thermal protection.

Close Your Curtains During the Hottest Parts of the Day

If you’d rather not install the film, you can just close your curtains at certain points of the day.

Typically, the hottest part of the day is between 3 and 4 pm. Keep your curtains and blinds closed during this time of day to prevent more of the natural heat from seeping into your home through the glass.

If you don’t mind a darker room, or work third shift, you’ll get even better results by investing in black-out curtains. Beyond blocking the light so you can sleep, the weave also keeps heat from getting through.

Make Sure Your Ceiling Fan Blades Spin in the Right Direction

If your apartment has ceiling fans, make them work for you. In the summer, your fan will provide more of a breeze if the blades spin counterclockwise. This can help you stay cool without having to use as much energy.

In the winter, you should switch them clockwise so that warm air that rises to the top of the room gets pushed down toward you.

Close Doors of Rooms Not in Use

Air constantly moves throughout your apartment. To maximize airflow and direct cooler air, close the doors to rooms that aren’t in use. Keep your bedroom and bathroom doors open so that the cool air will flow to the rooms where you need it.

Use Portable Fans

Fans won’t cool the room, but they will cool you if you’re in the room. If you have more than one fan, place them so that the air is blowing at you from multiple directions.

If you use a box fan in a window, face it out the window, rather than at you. It won’t blow cooler air on you, but it will work to pull the warm air out of your apartment and send it back outside.

No matter how hot the temperatures get in the summer, you’ll be able to keep yourself nice and cool with these tips. BONUS TIP: Use the exhaust fan above your stove and in your bathroom when you first get home, to pull out the hot air that has stagnated all day. It’ll make it easier for your air conditioner to cool things down.

BIO:

Karstine Sanchez is a freelance writer and content marketer with Allstate Roofing. She enjoys writing home decor, maintenance, and improvement.

Clean Your Walls To Maximize Your Security Deposit Return

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Dirty walls are one reason many renters fail to get back their whole security deposit. However, it is a repairable issue. Whether you’re dealing with dirt, grease, crayons or markers, ink or water stains, there is usually a cleaning product that can address the mess. One of the most important tips to keep in mind is to start gently and work your way up to a tougher solution.

The following article will provide information on the best techniques to clean your walls and other painted surfaces. If you follow these tips, you’ll stand a better chance of getting back that security deposit.

Telling Damage From Normal Wear and Tear

Sometimes it can be tricky to tell damage apart from regular scuff marks. Your landlord may use your security deposit to repaint, but it’s helpful to know when reasonable wear and tear has occurred as opposed to more severe destruction. The Rental Housing Act states that a property needs to be in an acceptable clean state once a tenant has vacated the property. However, the security deposit can only be used for damages and not to freshen a property for a new tenant.

That said, the matter depends on the contractual agreement presented in the lease. The landlord must be specific if he or she requires repainting, carpet cleaning or other maintenance before a tenant vacates the premises. If the lease does demand clean walls upon leaving, there are ways to ensure that you don’t leave permanent damage and maximize your security deposit.

How to Clean Your Walls

Before you get started, evaluate the walls to determine the level of cleaning you’ll need to do. Sometimes a simple all-purpose cleaner or eraser may be your ticket to a fresh residence. Other times, more aggressive methods are required. To avoid any unnecessary work, follow our steps for spotless walls.

  1. Try to figure out what kind of paint is on the wall: If you’re an experienced handyperson, you can probably tell at first glance whether the walls are painted with a semi-gloss, enamel, flat, stain or eggshell finish. If not, ask your landlord.
  2. Dust the walls: It may seem silly but running a vacuum attachment over the wall can be a simple way to remove surface dirt, which is often a main cause of visible wear.
  3. Lay towels or sheets on the floor for protection: The last thing you want is to damage the floor while you’re cleaning the walls. Laying a protective barrier on the floor can catch any water or paint drips.
  4. Obtain a cleaning solution: This is possibly the most critical part of the process. Start by wiping the walls with a damp cloth. Water can usually remove most surface dirt that isn’t ingrained in the paint. If water doesn’t suffice, create a mixture using warm water and a bit of dishwashing soap. For even tougher stains, carefully mix half a cup of vinegar, one fourth cup of baking soda and a cup of ammonia into a gallon of water. You could also make paste with baking soda and warm water. In any case, don’t scrub too hard because you risk chipping the paint.
  5. Use proper cleaning techniques for maximum effect: Start at the top and move downward to cover every area of the wall. It may also help to have one bucket for the cleaning solution and one for clean water. Use a damp — not wet — sponge, cloth or rag. Dry with a separate towel to avoid streaks or further damage.

In some cases, stains can’t be removed with water or basic cleaning solutions. Scratches, holes or deep scuffs on the wall may need to be sealed and repainted if the damage is too great. Hopefully you can catch any issues before they get too serious. However, knowing the root of a problem could maximize your security deposit return and save you the headache of an argument with the landlord.

cleaning walls - Clean Your Walls To Maximize Your Security Deposit Return

Author bio: Steve A. Parker is Director of Communications at Raider Painting, a California-based commercial and industrial painting company. It is committed to providing solutions that enhance and prolong the life of your workspaces and equipment.

How to Use Magic to Get a Bigger Security Deposit Refund

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Here is an area of frequent landlord – tenant friction: the security deposit refund. At Decker Properties, we would prefer to make a full refund to everyone. Then there is no dispute.

So we work hard at that goal. We share a cleaning checklist with each tenant that has given notice to vacate. We even offer to have our maintenance staff help with moving appliances to clean under or around them. Further, we fill nail holes for free. So don’t fill them with toothpaste!

Finally, we throw in the first hour of cleaning for free. That way, even if you missed something, you could still get a full refund.

But the topic of this post is to give you one more tool in your arsenal to increase your chances of a big refund. And that tool is magic. Actually, it’s Magic Erasers.

Magic Erasers are a white cleaning sponge. They are particularly effective at removing scuff marks or blemishes on a wall. You simply wet the sponge and wipe. That’s it. There is no need to rinse and there are no other steps. So easy and inexpensive.

So try Magic Erasers. They are available at most grocery stores or hardware stores and they would be in the same aisle as other cleaning products or sponges.

And why wait until you’re moving out? You can keep your walls looking like they were freshly painted the entire time you’re living in your apartment with hardly any effort at all.

It’s so easy, it’s like magic.

magic eraser - How to Use Magic to Get a Bigger Security Deposit Refund

5 Common Repairs You Need to do When Moving out of Your Apartment

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apartment living1 - 5 Common Repairs You Need to do When Moving out of Your Apartment

Editor’s note: Here’s a guest post from our friends at Omega Industries (www.omegaindinc.com). Just an added word to the wise – in Wisconsin, landlords can’t require their tenants to clean their carpets. Additionally, at Decker Properties, we’re very concerned with how someone untrained might do repairing their own drywall. If your repairs aren’t going to be perfect and invisible, it’s better to leave them to us. Yes, you may get charged. But you could get charged, potentially even charged more, for a botched drywall repair. – Dave

All your boxes are packed and you’re ready to move out. The last thing on your mind is cleaning and repairing the apartment you’re leaving. But, as a tenant, you have the responsibility to leave the place as you came.

Continue reading →

Energy Savings Tips

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energystar money isnt all youre saving 300x184 - Energy Savings TipsBefore you get an energy bill that looks like it was inspired by the national debt, better consider these ideas:

1. Move to an apartment like Rivercourt in Milwaukee, Mayfair in Waupun, Skyview in Little Chute, the new Wilson Heights in Hartford, Madison Square in Waupun, Diversey Manor in Whitefish Bay, Jarvis Street in Shorewood, 827 Phoenix in Delavan, or 1450 Coachlight in New Berlin where Decker Properties provides the heat.

2. Move to an apartment like Willow Grove in Pewaukee, Riverdale in Little Chute, Rensway in Waupun, Washington Heights and Washington Manor in Horicon, the new City Center in Fond du Lac, Georgetown Square in Racine, or Country Village in Waupun, where the energy efficiency upgrades include new windows, added insulation and maintenance to caulking and weather stripping to make sure your well-maintained home is also energy efficient.

3. Use LED bulbs. They last forever and use little power.
Continue reading →

Why You Won’t Get Rich Flipping Houses

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So you’ve just moved into your new digs at Catalina Crossing and you’re kicking back and seeing what’s on the flat screen. Why not tune in to one of those house flipper shows?

After all, while you may be living large, a little extra coin can never hurt. What about a house flipping side hustle?

Recently, an article in the Washington Post outlined why this might be harder than it looks. In other words, don’t try this at home. Here’s a summary: Continue reading →

Tiny Houses

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tiny house 300x182 - Tiny HousesAs the cost of housing increases, alternatives like Tiny Houses are cropping up.  But there can be hidden costs to a Tiny House that makes this alternate a questionable move:

1. A tiny house is hard to finance. Is it a trailer?  A house? Lenders are perplexed and not sure how to treat these things.  Plus a tiny house may not hold its value like a conventional home would. See #7 below. Continue reading →

The Secret to Some Fast Cash Part 2

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community manager - The Secret to Some Fast Cash Part 2There’s nothing like a few extra bucks in the bank to put a little more spring in your step. Last time we were talking about helping the landlord to make a little extra money. The logical next step to that arrangement is to become an onsite manager.

Can’t neighbors be annoying? Maybe, but not so much if you get to choose them. Since you’ll be renting the apartments, you get to pick who your neighbors will be. And if anybody does get out of line, you’ll have the authority to impose more linear behavior.

Can’t stand litter and dirt? Good. Call me, you’re just what we’re looking for. You can keep the place up to your high standard and get paid for doing it.

Were you trying to get a tan anyway? Great, you can tan while you’re cutting the grass and get paid for that too.

Know how to get things done? Like to clean? Like working with people? Enjoy being your own boss? If so, we need to talk. Don’t keep me waiting!