Can we all get along? – Rodney King, May 1, 1992

I suppose you don’t have to adore your annoying neighbor, but at least reaching a degree of vigorous tolerance can be a good thing.  For that matter, it doesn’t have to be the next-door neighbor, it could be the cube dweller just a few feet away at work.  Either way, can we all get along?

Here are a few ideas:

1. Safety first. We’re not talking here about physical and emotional abusers.  There will still be some folks where the only remedy is to avoid them.
2. Give them a second chance. Look for something to like about them.  Try to see them as human.
3. Or not. Maybe they’re not human.  Maybe they are really trained chimpanzees.  See the humor in that?  Maybe your annoying neighbor can launch your comedy career or at least help you gain a few chuckles around the water cooler.
4. Think blind spot. Maybe they don’t know what they do is annoying.
5. Be Nice. Ever heard the cliché about catching more flies with honey?  I’m not sure that I get this one.  First, who wants to catch flies?  And once you catch them, aren’t you going to kill them?  I should be nice to people so I can set them up for the kill?  Maybe I’m over thinking this.  Just be nice.
6. Watch how you behave. Body language counts.  Uncross your arms!  Remember to smile.  I’m starting to feel like your mom.
7. Drop the gossip. Don’t start the conversation by broadcasting you can’t be trusted.
8. Do a favor. See them in the parking lot with a trunk full of groceries?  Help them in with that.  Hold open the door. Walk together with them to their car under your umbrella when it rains.  Help scrape the snow off their car.
9. Try to have a relationship outside of the conversation you’re always having about their [insert annoying habit here].
10. Pay a compliment. Be honest, their miserable barking dog can be cute sometimes.
11. Ask for a small favor unrelated to any problem. That gives the other guy the chance to be the hero.  It softens them up a bit and saves you an extra trip up the stairs with the groceries.
12. Move out of the glass house. Maybe you’re the one with the blind spot.  Make sure you’re not giving folks reason to retaliate because you’re annoying too!

Here’s a guest post from our friends at MoneyWithJim.org.

Moving out on your own for the first time is exciting. You are ready to take on the world, but you have to be prepared and mindful of some best practices when living out of your parent’s house for the first time. Before taking the first step, make sure that you are financially stable and ready for the responsibilities that come with living independently.

Find the Ideal Residence

When it comes to living on your own, the most important part is finding the right place to call home. Do some research on different areas, consider your budget, and read reviews for a clearer picture of what works best for you. Start your search by exploring available Decker Properties in your area of choice. Once you find a place that suits your needs and wants, make sure to submit rental applications in advance as processing time can take weeks or even months.

Prioritize Financial Security

Creating a budget and limiting your debt are important steps to consider for financial stability. Setting aside money for investments, like a home, will help you reach your goals in the long run. When taking out a mortgage, lenders will look at your debt-to-income ratio to make sure you can afford the loan. This ratio is calculated by adding up your monthly debt and dividing it by your gross monthly income.

Don’t Overlook Home Security

Living on your own for the first time can be an exciting experience. However, it is also important to ensure that your home is secure. Security measures such as having strong locks on all doors and windows, installing security alarms, and keeping valuable belongings in locked containers or safes can help make sure that your home remains safe. Keeping a safe environment is essential for everyone’s safety and peace of mind.

Learn to Cook

Eating out every night can be expensive and exhausting. It’s much wiser to invest in learning how to make easy meals or using recipes that you can find online or in cookbooks. This will save you money over time. Further, cooking simple meals allows you to save time and energy, while also taking charge of what goes into your body.

Kick Off Your Job Search

Having a job will help you financially, whether you are living by yourself or with roommates. Be sure to have a CV ready so that you’re ready to give them out if an opportunity arises. Ideally, craft a CV that helps employers get an idea of what skills and experiences you bring to the table.

Storing Files in PDF Formats

You want to be able to keep track of important documents, so a system to reduce clutter is a must. Digitizing your paper documents is a great way to start. You can even rotate PDF pages to portrait or landscape mode — try using this PDF rotator. Once you’ve done that, it’s easy to download and share your PDF with the world or keep them where you can easily find them when you need them.

Moving out of the family home and into solo living is something that many young people look forward to. Preparation is key when it comes to making the move, so research different areas, have a budget, explore job opportunities, prioritize security, learn to cook, and organize important documents. Following these best practices will help you transition into independent adult life with confidence.

California was already the land of lefties before the 2018 election, but now Democrats dominate in the Golden State like never before. And what has one party progressive politics brought about?

One third of all people on welfare in the entire USA live in California. California is also home to the more illegal immigrants than any other state and has a bountiful homeless population too.

The public schools stink, sales taxes are high and the state income tax at 13.3% is one of the highest in the country.

Income equality gets Democrats riled up, but they need look no further than California to find it in abundance.

Lately, the billion-dollar boondoggle of high-speed rail to nowhere is the butt of late-night talk show jokes.

Businesses are overburdened with regulation and let’s not even talk about the traffic.

Meanwhile, here at the Mayfair Apartments in Waupun, Wisconsin, you can still afford a wonderful apartment with walk-in showers, 2 car garages and heat included. I apologize for the winter.

Last time, in Can I Smoke Marijuana in My Apartment, we were discussing whether or not smoking marijuana was a right users could enjoy in their own rental housing. The short answer is that landlords are free to restrict or prohibit such use.

But what about regular old tobacco? What are the smoker’s rights for smoking in an apartment? Continue reading →