Benefits of Renting Versus Owning a Home

Many former home owners turned to renting when the Great Recession hit and joined those were already renting a home, condo or apartment. These people found some benefits to renting versus owning a home, which familykenkel details below.

U.S.census data reported by RealtyTrac states the number of renters in American homes rose to 34.5% in 2011.  Close to one-fourth of all U.S.metro regions saw higher rental rates, which are still in effect today. When more people want to rent, the higher rental rates will be. Plus, the number of millenials who are now working are also renting.  This creates a shortage of rental homes and gives property management companies and landlords carte blanche to hike rental rates.  Despite the rise in rent and the lack of affordable housing, there are benefits to this type of living:

• Renters do not have the responsibility or cost of home repairs.
• They do not have to worry about lawn maintenance.
• They can pack up and move when the lease expires.
• They can negotiate for a better rate when moving in or when renewing, and add perks such as a new microwave oven, free carpet and air duct cleaning and valet trash service.

Familykenkel show encourages readers to be sure to explore different cities and towns close to work before signing a rental lease. Also, be sure to read every page of the lease, even if the lease it long – as most are. Ask questions. Be very much informed about what the lease covers and does not cover, when rent is due and what the late fee is per day. These are items which can make renting pleasant or miserable. Renting is not for everyone. But neither is home ownership.

How to Get Through Security Lines Faster

If there is one thing than can derail the happiness we feel when flying out of town for a vacation, it is having to wait in airport security lines.  Those who travel frequently know the frustration of watching someone who doesn’t know how to breeze through security take off shoes, empty pockets, take off belts and remove digital devices from bags. Familykenkel shares details on how to get through security faster.

It pays to pay for the TSA PreCheck program. For only $85, a frequent passenger can skip all the above for five years. Skip the long regular security line and head straight into the short PreCheck line. Breeze through and get to your gate.

International frequent travelers can sign up for the Global Entry program (only a little more than PreCheck). This speeds up the process when re-entering the U.S. from an international origination point. Both PreCheck and Global Entry require the fee and some other documentation, plus an interview with Homeland Security.

Know what to leave at home: cigarette lighters, lighters shaped like guns, anything that resembles a grenade, large jars of creams, lotions, and other thicker substances.

Familykenkel also reminds readers that the full body scanners take a cookie cutter image of the body now. There are no more scanners which show what appeared to be a naked body image.

If paying for faster security is not something one wants to do, this is what to do before getting to the security stand: empty all pockets of any items, remove shoes and hold them in your hand, do not wear a belt, take off your jacket, take out laptops and tablets, and take out the baggie with personal care items. All of these things have to go in the bins and be run through the X-ray machines. Lessen the load (and bins needed) by packing the rest in an under the seat bag. You can always take out what you want after clearing security. Fly through security faster and with less stress.

How to Deal with Internet Trolls

Internet trolls are people who specifically set out to harass, threaten, insult, offend and cause harm to another person’s life, livelihood and reputation. They pop up everywhere people meet online to communicate, socialize, view videos and discuss the hot topics of the day. And it can be hard to deal with them when it seems there are so many of them. Familykenkel offers advice on how to deal with Internet trolls and other online pests.

Americans take their right to free speech seriously. Some abuse that privilege by going online to purposely wreak havoc in someone else’s life. If we think about it, we all take risks on the Internet when we use social media to catch up with the people in our lives and share remarkable stories. Then, along comes someone we’ve never met who feels they can post something negative and hurtful about us. And we feel like there is nothing we can do.

Dealing with Internet trolls takes time, patience and confidence. Readers who find they are being bothered by trolls and harassers have some options: block the user on the social platform, report the user to the website or social platform, and block the user on cell phones. Familykenkel believes that we all have the power to rid negativity from our lives. Here is a thought to keep in mind: “If people are trying to bring you down, it only means that you are above them”. ~ Unknown

International Travel Updates

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issues an advisory to all people traveling into the United States from other countries and continents about digital devices. Familykenkel reviews this new rule and others that international travelers will need to know.

International travel will usually mean better security coming and going abroad. In light of this, there are some new guidelines that people traveling to the US from other countries should know: travelers will be asked to turn on any smart phones, cell phones, tablets and laptops they have. Failure to turn it on might mean it will be confiscated. Shoes are also another concern and travelers may be asked to remove them for the X-ray machine. At US airports, extra steps are already being taken to test random passengers for chemicals and compounds used in making explosives. Familykenkel urges those traveling overseas to be sure they pack a converter for electricity in order to keep electronics fully charged before leaving the country visited. This will ensure the device will go on if asked to turn it on by airport security.

International travel is fun and a rewarding experience. Be sure to pack what you need and want for the adventure and place important items in a carry on bag, such as a light rain coat, medication, clean undergarments and travel-size personal hygiene items. Chargers and cords can be corralled into baggies with the item name written with a Sharpie on the bag. Pack carry on bags so the items are easily identifiable to airport security and make getting through it as easy as possible.

Clean Up Your Credit Report

There are literally hundreds of articles on the Internet on how to clean a messy credit report. What makes this one different is that you can do it yourself, without paying an agency a fee, and keep on top of it at the same time. Familykenkel shares how to clean up your credit report –yourself.

It takes time and effort but the end results will show on your credit scores.

• Order your free credit reports online. Order one each per quarter and not all at once.
• Save and print the report.
• Examine everything on it from previous home addresses, SSN, past jobs, and credit cards for inaccuracies.
• Determine how old the item is. If it is a credit charge, it should not be more than 7 years old. Bankruptcies stay on for 10. If you find items older than this on the report, put a check mark beside them.
• Dispute any incorrect information on the report with the crediting agency (such as Mastercard) or with the Fair Credit Reporting Agency. You can find it online while in the report or enter the agency name in the location bar and file it that way.

Most of the time, these tactics do work. Familykenkel recognizes that it feels good to handle this yourself and get the results you desire. Sometime the underdog wins and when that happens, we all win.

Preparing for a Storm

Bad storms are no longer designated to the South during hurricane season or Oklahomaduring tornado season. Devastating weather can happen anywhere in the country and at any time. Familykenkel offers suggestions about how to prep for a storm.

All it takes is one strike of lightning to the roof of a house for a fire to start and prized personal possessions to be destroyed. Fortunately, there are steps and apps to download which can make it easier to list what you own.

Start with an Internet search for making household inventories. Download the app you want and then start taking pictures with your smart phone of valuable belongings.

Collect important documents such as mortgage paperwork, rental leases, all insurance documents, vet records, banking and credit card information. Seal them in plastic baggies and store someplace where you always know where they are.

Most people already have apps for their banks and insurance companies on smart phones. If not, now is the time to install what you need for emergencies. Never wait until the last minute and lose a connection due to down cell towers and phone lines.

Familykenkel suggests stocking up on the necessities beforehand: batteries in various sizes to last three weeks, a case or two of bottled water, plain bleach for sanitizing water, non-perishable food like crackers, canned meats, soup and canned fruit. The more prepared you are now, the easier it will be if bad weather makes a mess of your home and life.