Roadmap with Irina - April 2022

Hi <<First Name>>, 

Hope that you are doing great. 

We all watch the news or at least hear them from our family and friends, and we know that inflation is already 8.5%, the interest rates are over 5%, and the political situation in the world is complicated.  And the real estate market remains strong and competitive. Why is that? I would like to introduce you to my friend and partner Sean Herrero, a great loan officer at CrossCountry Mortgage, and let him explain the current real estate market and what to expect in the nearest future. Please take a look. The video is about 7 minutes long, but it is worth watching it. If you have questions, let me know. I am always here for you.
 

 

From the refrigerator to the dishwasher, your home appliances help make life a little more manageable. However, you may not stop to think about how long you’ve owned these devices until it’s too late. Use this guide to learn about the life spans of your home’s appliances and ways you can make them last longer.

How to determine an appliance’s age
If your home came equipped with appliances, you might be a little lost when it comes to knowing exactly how old they are. However, you can look up an appliance’s serial number (usually located inside it) online to determine its age; manufacturers use codes within this number to record the production date.

Appliance life spans
No appliance’s life span is set in stone, and your usage and approach to its upkeep directly affect its performance. However, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) conducted a study to determine the average life spans of everyday appliances. Use the following information to gauge how long, on average, you can expect certain appliances to last and tips for keeping them in good shape.

Dishwasher: nine years

• Wait until the dishwasher is full before running it to avoid overuse, and don’t overload it to allow for easy cleaning and prevent damaging the unit.
• Clean the filter regularly by removing it and scrubbing the filter with hot, soapy water.
• Pre-rinse your dishes before loading to avoid clogs and gunk building up inside the dishwasher.

Microwave: nine years

• Avoid slamming the microwave’s door, as this can damage the latch mechanisms.
• Only use microwave-safe dishes, and keep metals out of the microwave.
• Do not run the microwave when it’s empty.

Washing machine: ten years

• Make sure the washing machine is on a well-supported, level surface to prevent excessive vibration.
• Avoid overloading the washing machine to prevent strain on parts like the motor and transmitters, and evenly balance clothing in the drum.
• Check the pockets of all clothing you’re washing, as metal items like keys or coins can damage the drum.

Garbage disposal: twelve years

• Use cold water when running the disposal to help keep fats and oils solid as they pass through the system.
• Allow the disposal to work for an extra minute or two with running water to flush any bits of food away.
• Do not place hard items, such as bones, popcorn kernels, eggshells, or coffee grounds in the disposal.

Dryer: thirteen years

• Clean the dryer lint trap after every use.
• Use a soft cloth and mild cleaner on the inside of the dryer to remove residue from dryer sheets.
• Clean the dryer vent at least once a year to prevent excessive lint buildup that can develop into a fire hazard.

Refrigerator: thirteen years

• Avoid overpacking the fridge, as this blocks air flow and may cause damage to the compressor and spoiled food.
• Clean the condenser coils, located on the back or bottom of the refrigerator, twice a year with a vacuum and a soft-bristle brush attachment.
• Wipe down the rubber door gaskets with a rag and mild cleanser regularly. Replace the gaskets if they appear worn out or brittle.

Stove: thirteen years (electric) to fifteen years (gas)

• Wipe down the stovetop daily to avoid an accumulation of grime.
• Don’t spray cleaning fluid directly on the control panels or knobs, as this may cause corrosion or a short circuit. Instead, use a damp rag with a mild dishwashing liquid to clean these areas.
• Replace the oven door’s seal if it becomes cracked or frayed to help prevent heat from leaking out.

Repair or replace?
If one of your appliances is on the fritz, you can use the 50-50 rule to help you choose between repairing or replacing it—if the appliance is more than 50 percent through its average life span and the repair costs more than 50 percent of the price of a new model, it may be time to replace it.

Your home warranty may help cover a replacement appliance, regardless of how old it is, if it’s covered in your plan and meets the requirements outlined in your contract. Reasons your warranty won’t cover replacing an appliance include improper installation, lack of maintenance, and any preexisting problems or damages before the warranty came into effect.

You can avoid worrying about repairs by replacing older appliances before they break down. There are certain times throughout the year when appliances may cost less. Many retailers have sales over three-day weekends like Memorial Day, Presidents’ Day, and Labor Day, and there are typically discounts in January when some stores offer sales to offset the sluggishness of postholiday spending. You may also find a deal on an older model when manufacturers release newer versions. Popular months to keep in mind for sales include stoves in January, refrigerators in May, and washers, dryers, and dishwashers in September and October.

Every morning when I wake up, I stay in bed for a few more minutes thinking about things that I am grateful for. It could be anything. My wonderful home, great relationships with family and friends, kids’ health and success at school, my comfy bed, the sunshine or rain outside, my new nail polish, amount of work for the day, etc. Why do I do it? Believe it or not, it helps me to tune up my mind to a more positive mindset, gives me a lot of energy, and I feel happier and more fulfilled.

I didn’t understand this before. I was afraid that when I say that I am thankful for something, the universe (God, higher intelligence, whatever you call it) will take it as that I am happy with what I have and will not give me more of what I want. I was so wrong! It looks like when you are truly thankful for something, you accept what you already have and you are open for more, and the universe “hears” you and sends more happy and positive things your way. This is very powerful! When you add “because” to your gratitude, it amplifies the energy, and you receive even more positive things than you ever thought of.
It is hard to feel thankful in the very beginning when you have never done this before. Sometimes you feel that there is nothing to be thankful for. Think about what you could be grateful for and why. For example, “I am grateful for waking up this morning because I will never want to miss anything that this day brings me”. Start with one thing, big or small, and every day add more and more to your gratitude list, and you will see how your life will change. 

And one more activity. At night when you lay in your bed, find at least one positive thing that happened to you today and say “Thank you” for having it. You can have a terrible day, but I am sure, there was a positive moment that made you smile, so find it and be thankful for it. The feeling of living a positive and meaningful day will make you happier and more confident.

Try to do these activities and let me know if you see any positive changes in your life. I am sure, you will.

Always yours,
Irina