Home improvement is the term used to describe renovations and remodeling projects that enhance the appearance or functionality of an existing property. It can involve anything from a small project like painting or changing the color of a room to a large undertaking, such as adding a deck.
The home improvement industry has grown stronger than many other industries in recent years, thanks to a variety of factors. For starters, aging homeowners are spending more than ever on renovating their homes. They’re also taking advantage of the fact that real estate prices are rising, which means more available equity to use for home improvements.
According to a recent report by Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, spending on home improvement has increased by 50 percent since 2010 and older homeowners are responsible for the vast majority of that growth.
Before you start a home improvement project, it’s important to consider your personal budget. You should also carefully weigh the impact of your project on your resale value and the amount of cash you’ll be able to recoup if you sell.
If you’re planning to make major home repairs, such as replacing a roof or installing new windows, it might be best to work with a licensed general contractor to help ensure the job gets done right and that you won’t end up paying more in the long run. Be sure to get references from other customers, and check that the contractor has all the necessary licensing in your state.
It’s important to establish a payment schedule with the contractor, and be certain to stick to it. Often, contractors will ask you to pay an initial deposit to hold the project in place and then ask for subsequent payments until all the work is complete. This is a common practice and can save you money down the road.
You can use a home equity line of credit to finance home improvements, as well. This type of loan allows you to borrow against your home’s equity, and you can usually spend the money however you want, so long as it doesn’t exceed 85% of your home’s value.
A home equity line of credit can be an excellent choice for larger home projects that require a significant amount of funding. You can use the line of credit for a single project or to cover multiple renovations. It’s a good idea to research the interest rates and fees associated with different home improvement financing options before making a decision, so you know which one will be best for your specific needs.
Using a credit card for a home improvement project is a popular option because they typically offer an introductory 0% APR period for a year or more. Some credit cards even give you the option of using cashback rewards or other incentives to pay off your balance.
If you have a high credit score, a home equity line of credit can be an effective way to borrow for a renovation. You can then repay the loan over a period of 5-30 years with fixed monthly payments.
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“We have to be more responsible with our words and behaviors.” – 15-year-old girl from Bistrita
GNRC Romania organized a series of activities from May 25th to June 15th, 2022, to promote the importance of children in raising awareness to end bullying in schools. The activities were held in fifteen schools in Bucharest, reaching 2000 primary and high-school students, fifty-four teachers, and several members of the community, including faith leaders from the Christian and Muslim faiths.
“Each child has the power and the responsibility to contribute to a safer environment in school. All children should feel valued, protected appreciated, and free to express their opinions.” – Ms. Laura Molnar, GNRC Coordinator, Romania.
“No one deserves to be the victim of bullying.” – 13-year-old boy from Bucharest
The post <a><strong>Campaign Against Bullying and Violence in Romania </strong></a> appeared first on Global Network of Religions for Children.
The post Campaign Against Bullying and Violence in Romania appeared first on Arigatou International.
“We have to be more responsible with our words and behaviors.” – 15-year-old girl from Bistrita
GNRC Romania organized a series of activities from May 25th to June 15th, 2022, to promote the importance of children in raising awareness to end bullying in schools. The activities were held in fifteen schools in Bucharest, reaching 2000 primary and high-school students, fifty-four teachers, and several members of the community, including faith leaders from the Christian and Muslim faiths.
“Each child has the power and the responsibility to contribute to a safer environment in school. All children should feel valued, protected appreciated, and free to express their opinions.” – Ms. Laura Molnar, GNRC Coordinator, Romania.
“No one deserves to be the victim of bullying.” – 13-year-old boy from Bucharest
The post <a><strong>Campaign Against Bullying and Violence in Romania </strong></a> appeared first on Global Network of Religions for Children.
The post Campaign Against Bullying and Violence in Romania appeared first on Arigatou International.
Entertainment is a big business, and if you’re not careful, you may find yourself at the office of the week before you know it. A little self control and the right people at the right time can go a long way in terms of productivity and happiness. A proper work-life balance can make or break any relationship, let alone a healthy apetite for life. The best way to achieve it is to enlist the aid of a trusted friend or two. From there, you can get a true sense of what’s important to you and what nots you need to do in order to live a happy and productive life.
The post Work-Life Balance and Entertaiment appeared first on www.snvla.org.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are central to accelerating achievement of United Nations Agenda 2030 and particularly the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN recognizes technology as a cross-cutting ‘means of implementation,’ underpinning the achievement of every goal.
Recognizing the centrality of STEM, the Arigatou International SDGs Academy for Children in partnership with the Kenya Flying Labs facilitated a 3-part learning series on Robotics and Sustainable Development. This learning sessions involved 27 children accompanied with parents, caregivers, and teachers at the Academy’s physical hub in Limuru, Kenya.
The learning sessions used the Twin Science Curriculum by WeRobotics to introduce the children to robotics, life sciences, coding and how they could develop robots to aid in actions towards implementing the SDGs.
“I have learnt that robotics is important in our lives; for example, in treating patients in hospitals” Jonathan, 10-year-old participant.
Throughout the sessions, children were enlightened on how science and technology was important towards achieving the SDGs and how they could use available technology and through knowledge gained to contribute to that achievement.
Activities during the learning and practical sessions involved building knowledge about robotics as part of STEM, how to make robots, how they work, coding and operating household robots and drones. Extra learning activities like outdoor games and watching movies such as “the boy who harnessed the wind” to discuss SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 4 (Quality Education), 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation), 7 (Clean and Affordable Energy), and 13 (Climate Action) further made it easier and fascinating in entrenching the skills gained with regards to actualizing the SDGs.
“The SDGs Academy for Children prides in providing a safe space for children in building a sustainably developed worlds for all children” Michael Adikwu, Lead, SDGs Academy for Children, Arigatou International.
The Arigatou International SDGs Academy for Children uses the Global Development Education (GDE) and Transformative Pedagogy methods to deliver learning, skills and practical actions for children to internalize and contribute towards implementation of the SDGs.
Prior to this 3-part learning sessions, we have been partnering with the Kenya Flying Labs in delivering similar tech-oriented trainings for children at the Academy. We are also partnering with the Kenya Flying Labs in establishing SDGs Clubs in schools in Kenya.
The post <strong>Robotics for Sustainable Development</strong> appeared first on End Child Poverty.
The post Robotics for Sustainable Development appeared first on Arigatou International.
