Get prepped. Before you start cleaning out your fridge, get together all the supplies you'll need to do the job. This will help limit the amount of time any items need to be out of the fridge. You'll need a sponge, paper towels, a multi-surface cleaner, water, and possibly an old toothbrush.

Take everything out. The easiest way to deep clean your fridge is by first taking everything out of it. If you move fast, you should be ok with leaving things on the counter, but if you're a slow cleaner (or have a really messy fridge, you might want to consider using a cooler.

Wipe down all of the shelves and drawers. Remove all the drawers and shelves from your fridge and wash them with soap and water in the sink. The rest of the fridge can be wiped down with a sponge and water (or a multi-surface spray) going from top to bottom so that you don't knock dirt onto already clean areas. Use a toothbrush to get into all the little crevices, including the rubber door seal. When you're done and things are clean, you can start putting the shelves and drawers back.

Toss anything that is no longer good. Food that's rotting or well past its expiration date has got to go and now's the time to do it. Toss all perishables (or compost them if you'd prefer) and recycle or clean containers.

Wipe down containers. Before you put items back into the fridge, make sure that they're not sticky or messy on the outside. Wipe these items down so that they won't instantly transfer grossness back onto your newly cleaned fridge.

Put it all back. It's time to get things back in order! Start putting things back into your fridge, keeping things organized. Put similar items together and things that you use frequently in easily accessible locations. If something needs to be used soon, set it up front so you won't forget.

Wipe down the outside. Now that you've gotten everything back in, it's time to tackle the exterior. For stainless steel fridges, the best option is a microfiber cloth and some white vinegar. For enameled versions, you can use just about any kind of cleaner you want and a paper towel. Don't forget the top, it gets dusty up there!

Note when you cleaned the fridge. Make a note of the date on a piece of paper that you attach to your fridge. That way, you'll know when it's time to clean it again.

Most metropolitan areas have a local real estate association whose members are state-licensed real estate sales professionals. These associations help agents with education, contracts, mediation, and other services that facilitate the real estate brokerage profession, as well as the transactions that change ownership of real estate from one party to another. The associations also have something called the multiple listing service, commonly termed the MLS. It is a database of all the broker-listed properties for sale in the local area. Real estate professionals who are members of the association input their listings for sale on the MLS so other agents can view the inventory available for purchase.

That inventory on the MLS includes properties listed as traditional sales, plus distressed property inventory like real estate owned (REO) (commonly called foreclosures), short sales, and any other properties that are to be advertised via the MLS to the other association members. The listings also carry all kinds of vital information about the property, like remarks about its condition or certain constraints on the sale, plus the commission split between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent. You can also see all these listings on websites like Zillow.com , Redfin.com , or Ziprealty.com and peruse them yourself.

The MLS listings comprise the vast majority of real estate inventory for sale at any one point in time in a local market. Other inventory might be for sale by owners (FSBO) properties, foreclosures at the county courthouse, or bank auctions of properties.

There is one more pool of inventory of properties that isn’t actually for sale. Instead, it “shadows” and increases the future potential properties that will be for sale in the near future. This is what is called “shadow inventory.” As you are aware, there are many people in financial distress these days who have stopped paying their mortgages and/or are way upside down on their properties – value less than outstanding mortgage balance. Statistics show that the vast majority of these people will end up losing their homes to foreclosure or a short sale. So these homes are effectively going to end up in the marketplace for sale in the next 6 to 24 months. Since they are a cloud, or “shadow,” on the market, they comprise part of the so-called shadow inventory.

Another portion of the shadow inventory include properties that banks or mortgage companies have foreclosed upon and own, but that are not listed for sale at this point. There are many reasons they are not listed for sale, but regardless of those reasons, they will be listed in the next 6 to 12 months. This means they too are a shadow on the housing inventory. There are probably tens if not hundreds of thousands of these lender-owned, but not for sale, units in the U.S. right now.

As you can see, the MLS is only a part of the for-sale or soon-to-be-for-sale inventory of properties in your area. Each local area is different with how much shadow inventory it has and it can be difficult for analysts to properly estimate the entire amount. But it is a large amount of properties, as noted in this DSNews.com article – 46 Months to Clear Distress Housing Inventory.

For your own buying purposes, a general rule is that if your property market is highly distressed, like Phoenix, Las Vegas, Detroit, or California’s Inland Empire, there is probably a lot of shadow inventory lurking out there. When it will hit the market in the next two years is anyone’s guess, but it most likely will negatively impact pricing if a flood properties hits the market.

If you do plan to buy real estate in the next couple of years, talk to your real estate agent and do some independent research and try to see what is the estimated shadow inventory in your area. This information will hopefully help you make a good decision based on your circumstances.

1. Move less. A big way to save time, money, energy, and resources when moving is to simply pare down what you're taking to your new place. Get rid of things you don't need or want so you have less to pack and less to move.
2. Donate, don't trash. Have things you don't want? Don't put them out to the curb. Instead, make a trip (or two) to a local thrift store. If you have big items you can't take on your own, give them a call. Many places will come pick up your unwanted items for free.
3. Recycle anything you can. These days, there's a way to recycle just about anything. Make sure to recycle the basics like glass, plastic, and paper and also other items like old electronics and computers. If you do decide to throw something away, make sure it's disposed of properly, as certain items shouldn't just be put in the dumpster.
4. Pack using plastic totes. One great way to cut back on waste during a move is to pack your things in reusable containers. You can use them for move after move (or to store items you don't use all the time) and they're easier to lift than boxes.
5. Reuse old boxes. If you don't want to go the reusable route, then the next best thing is to search your local neighborhood for old boxes you can use, so you don't have to buy new. If you don't have time for that, you can rent boxes or order ones that are made from recycled materials.
6. Use towels to wrap breakable items. Packing peanuts and bubble wrap may keep your breakable items safe, but they aren't great for the environment. Some items might do just as well wrapped in towels, blankets, and other soft items. Even better, you'll be getting double the packing done.
7. Or go for biodegradable packing materials. For those who want something more traditional to wrap breakables, there are a whole host of biodegradable packing materials out there. Opt for these, so you won't have to sacrifice being Earth-friendly to ensure your items arrive intact.
8. Plan your trips. Moving can use a lot of gas, that's why it's key to plan your trips ahead of time. If you're moving yourself, work it so that you can make as few trips as possible, loading your truck or van up as much as possible each time you leave.
9. Choose earth-friendly moving companies. If you're not moving yourself, make sure you choose a moving company that is green. That might sound strange, but there are actually a lot of them out there. This will give you some peace of mind, as you'll know they'll do what they can to make your move as green as possible.
10. Clean green. Before you hand in the keys to your old place you'll need to give it a good cleaning (if you want to get that security deposit back, that is). Avoid harsh chemical cleaners and opt for homemade or environmentally friendly cleaners to help you do your dirty work.

First, give yourself plenty of time to do an adequate search for your new residence. You should be well aware about your moving timeframe, so there is no reason you shouldn’t spend a few months shopping for places. A good time to start looking is two or three months before your current lease ends, or before you know you'll have to relocate for one reason or another. This will allow you to find a great place in the location you would like (subject to your budget), negotiate a lease, and get all items in order 20-40 days before your actual move. This will eliminate your having to rush to find a place, which could cause you to make a less than stellar decision and then be unhappy with the place, location, or price of your rental.

Craigslist is one of top places to find apartments for rent when searching on the Internet. And there are other rental sites like Zillow, Trulia, Rent.com, and others, so shop around. You can also check rent comparables with sites like Rentometer to see what the fair market rent is for the locations and unit size that you'd like. All these tools, plus Google street view, etc. are at your fingertips. So use them!

Another great way to find a good place is to simply drive around the areas that match your preferred location and budget. Many owners simply post “For Rent” signs in the yard to find tenants. Driving around, you might also see apartment complexes that you didn’t notice before and you could stop in their leasing offices. But the best part about driving around areas is that you get a feel for the location, so you can better know whether to include or exclude that neighborhood from your search. Drive around a neighborhood you'd like to live in at least once during the day and maybe a weekend night to see the traffic, noise, etc. of the area.

There are also apartment locator companies that help individuals find places to rent. Many of these are relocation companies that work for corporate employees or military people, but they are for private individuals too. They can do a great job for you, but just as with any service provider, you need to weigh the cost versus the benefit you are getting. In some cities, like New York City, it can be quite expensive to use these companies. You best help yourself by understanding the costs, and maybe calling a couple of references on them to make sure they did a good job for others. This is especially true if you are asked to pay upfront or if the price is significant. For others that are inexpensive, if you believe they can help you, go for it!

Once you find a place, here are a few other important issues you need to address.

• Make sure you know all the costs involved for a unit you rent, like if there are trash fees or if you pay for water. Discuss these with the landlord.
• Make sure you have adequate time to read the lease and that the landlord runs you through the terms of the lease. You don’t want to be surprised by terms that you did not expect. Few renters take the time to do this, but you really should. In general, reading documents before you sign them is a good idea, especially if it is a significant financial commitment, like a one-year lease.
• At move in, make sure to document any damage to the unit, like spots on carpets, wall damage, broken appliances, etc. and let the landlord know in writing. Take pictures on that fancy new smart phone to keep a record so that you are not assessed a portion of your security deposit when you move.
• Also, try to find a place you will stay for multiple years. Moving typically ends up being more expensive that you anticipate, so try to find a place you will stay so you can minimize moving costs.

Regardless, as noted above, start early and provide enough time for yourself to do a great job so you find the best possible residence for your budgeted amount. Good luck!

Staghorn fern. One of the most amazing plants to grow on the wall is a staghorn fern. These plants grow on tree trunks in their natural setting, so it only makes sense that they appreciate the verticality a wall mount provides them when being grown indoors. The plants are fairly simple to mount (you can find instructions here) and require similar care to orchids, which does mean a little babying is in order. Still, the extra work is worth it to have such a unique and stylish plant in your apartment.

Orchids. Orchids have a reputation for being finicky plants (and they can be, it's true) but they don't care whether they're sitting on a table or mounted on the wall, so long as they've got the moisture and light that they need. You can buy special wall-mounting planters for orchids like this one here, which make it easy to transplant an orchid from a traditional pot.

Succulents. Mounting succulents in a vertical planter or in a wreath is very popular right now, and chances are that you can find a ready-made version at a local garden specialty store or on Etsy. If you can't find one you like, time to get busy making your own! You'll need some sort of frame, cactus soil, and loads of small succulents. Luckily, succulents require infrequent waterings, so you will only have to take your plant display down a few times a month to give your plants water. The rest of the time, you can enjoy a bit of green on your walls.

Tillandsia. One of the coolest things about tillandsia, otherwise known as air plants, is that they don't require any soil to grow. That makes them pretty much ideal candidates for mounting on the wall, as no soil means no mess, and no real challenges in putting the plants on the wall. Driftwood, tree branches, bark, or any other lightweight material can work as a mount. Simply wire the plants into place and you have an amazing-looking display in minutes.

The reality? There really isn't a wrong way to do it. Get creative, show off what you love, and make it easy to relive the best trips of your life. Of course, that doesn't mean you can't use a few suggestions to get things started. Here are some stylishly awesome ways to frame, display, or otherwise show off all of your travel mementos.

Frame your best photographs. Choose a set of similar frames and fill them with color or black and white images from your trips. If you want to get super fancy, cut the matboard to allow you to add a caption.

Create a shadowbox. A shadowbox can let you show of just about anything from your trip, from tickets, to photos, to larger, bulkier items. Arrange it to highlight the best parts of your trip.

Make artwork related to your travels. Choose a photo or a memory from a trip, and use it to inspire some amazing artwork for your place. Of course, if you don't feel like you're artistically inclined enough to do this, there's always the option to just buy artwork related to your favorite destinations. One great option might be to find vintage promotional posters from the cities you love best.

Map it! There are so many cool ways to use maps to showcase your travels. You can use a simple map with pins, add photos to a map, or even frame maps from favorite cities you've traveled to (I do this and I love that my collection keeps growing).

Collect small items in a printer's tray. Antique printer's trays can be found in a variety of vintage shops or online on eBay or Etsy. They make really great places to stash small items, pictures, and tickets from your trip.

Organize your collection. Do you collect sand or dirt from the places you've traveled? Vintage postcards? Find a beautiful and aesthetically pleasing way to show off these trophies that doesn't look cluttered. I think this example is particularly inspiring.

Feel free to share your own ideas for showing off your jaunts around the world!

The IRS has a very clear one-pager on the general rule of the home office deduction, which you can view here. The basic premise is that you must use an area of your home exclusively for conducting business. It could be an extra bedroom, a separate office, or even a portion of an area as long as the area is regularly used for business. It must also be your principal place of business, meaning you either work there most of the time and/or you meet clients there on a regular basis.

The deduction is based off the percentage of your home that you use for business, and then you have to apportion either rent or figure out your depreciable basis if you are the homeowner.

For rent, let’s say your business use is 200 square feet of a 1,000 square foot rental home, or 20%. And let’s say your rent is $1,000 per month. In general, for the rental portion, you could take a $200 per month (or $2,400 per year) deduction, which is 20%, on your IRS 1040 Form Schedule C – Profit or Loss from Business. So your business profits would be reduced by $2,400 for the year and you’d pay less in taxes on that reduced profit amount.

If you are the homeowner, however, it gets a little more complicated. You need to figure out your tax basis (basically what you paid, plus any improvement costs), split that amount between the market value of the land and building, take the building portion and divide it by 27.5 years (per IRS rules) to get an annual depreciation amount. Then, you take the percentage of the home used for business multiplied by the annual depreciation amount and voila! — that is your home office deduction.

If you are an employee and not self-employed, there are a two more conditions that you have to meet to be allowed to take the deduction:

• Your business use must be for the convenience of your employer,

• You must not rent any part of your home to your employer and use the rented portion to perform services as an employee for that employer.

Another nice benefit if you qualify is that there are a few additional expenses you can deduct. These would be any improvements or repairs for the business, like painting or construction work, plus a portion of your insurance, utilities, general repairs, in pro-ration to the business use portion of your home. All these together can add up to large dollar value deduction and may be well worthwhile to calculate and make use of on your taxes.

There is one last item to keep in mind if you are a homeowner: down the road, when you sell the property, you may have to “recapture” the total cumulative depreciation expense that you have taken over the years. This essentially means that all those deductions you took over time may come back as income to you (“recaptured”) and will be taxable when you sell your property.

Again, any deduction should reduce your taxable income and hence reduce the taxes you pay to the IRS, and that’s the whole point of taking the home office deduction.

Either way, talk to a tax professional about all these issues to ensure you are making the correct choice for your tax situation related to the business use of your home.

House pricing and interest rates are unpredictable. Right now, housing prices are very low by historical standards, but that doesn’t mean that they cannot go lower — and they might. This makes housing affordability pretty much the highest it has ever been. But will housing prices drop further and make homes even more affordable? Or will mortgage interest rates go up making homes less affordable? Or both? Or neither?

The truth is that no one knows. For every Harvard economist proclaiming prices are headed up, there is one Yale economist taking the opposite position. The same goes for interest rates, the supposed oncoming foreclosure glut, the economy, consumer sentiment, and so on and so forth. There are so many factors that impact these items that pinpointing the correct movements is impossible. Not to mention that the local market in your area could be vastly different from the one for the next county over. This means that as a potential buyer, you should make your decision based on the current market conditions and your own desire to own property,and not on some hoped-for price drop that may never come.

The housing affordability index is really the most important thing to review. It’s your personal affordability index that counts. Basically, the monthly cost of an average American’s housing payment (mortgage payment, taxes, insurance, HOA fees) is a lower percentage of their average income than it has been in years, but how is your affordability index looking? If you are in a good financing position with a solid job, have some money saved, and have a good credit profile, it may be your time to start the process of home ownership, or at least to get your search started.

So block out all the background noise in May 2012 and don’t listen to the experts on housing because they don’t know any better than you do where the market is really headed. Look at your own finances, life goals, investment strategies, and decide if your housing time is here.

If you are still hesitant, another item to note is that real estate wealth typically comes from long-term ownership and holding properties for decades. So just like with stocks and bonds, potential short term fluctuations in the value of your house the next few years should not be a big concern. What you should be concerned about is finding a great property that you love that you plan to own for the future. If you know that you're ready to own a home, keep in mind that it could easily take six months to a year to find a great property, so you should get moving on your search sooner rather thanlater.

Get out there and start looking, educating yourself, and preparing yourself for homeownership. Even if you are not going to buy for a few years, now is the time to start figuring out what the market has to offer in your pricing range and learn more about the benefits, costs, risks, and rewards of real estate ownership.

Cover it up. This is perhaps the easiest and most common solution to dealing with unsightly tech. Too many cords? Hide those suckers! Ridiculous amount of stereo equipment? Put it behind doors! Really, the possibilities are endless when it comes to hiding your tech. A great armoire can hide quite a bit or you could even whip up your own TV cozy.

Shop smart. One way to avoid this whole situation from the get-go is to consider aesthetics when you're buying technology. Some might balk at that, but let's be honest, that's a big part of what keeps Apple waist-deep in business. There are plenty of companies that sell products that are just as nice to look at as they are functional, seek them out. You might pay a premium, but it could be worth it in the long run.

Organize it. Nothing looks good when it's a jumbled mess, cords included. High-tech devices come with loads of these, and they can quickly take over a small space. Instead of letting them run wild, get yourself a charging station, cable organizers, or furniture with built-in cord wrangling abilities.

Get creative. You only need to do a quick Google search to figure out that people really have come up with a ridiculous amount of different ways to hide their technology, from building it into boxes to modifying IKEA products. What's stopping you from becoming one of the masses?

Design your space around it. High-tech devices look decidedly more at home in modern spaces. If you can live with that, why not just embrace all those gadgets and proudly show them off? After all, some of them may cost more than any decorative or furniture items you own!

1. Single serving meals. If you're the kind of person who finds it hard to eat healthy when you're always on-the-go, your old canning jars can be a big help. Use them to make single serving salads and other healthy meals so that you can just grab and go! On the weekend, they also work great for pre-made cocktails.
2. Storage solutions. It's not always easy to find storage solutions that are catered to your needs, so why not make your own? A piece of wood, some wire, and canning jars can make for a seriously great looking storage system. Or, if you're not the crafty type, simply use them as they are to collect small objects like pens, nails, or paperclips.
3. Candle holders. Create a down home feel by turning your old jars into candleholders. There are so many ways to do this, it's hard to pick which is the best. You could simply go for a basic tea light, make a candle directly in the jar, string jars up for a makeshift outdoor chandelier, or even put floating candles in them.
4. Light fixtures. Those who are handy may want to set to turning their old jars into an amazing light fixture. There are plenty of examples out there to use as inspiration on your own project, so get to wiring!
5. Sewing kit. Keep your needles, pins, thread, and scissors close at hand for fixing any rips or popped buttons by making a jar into a cute and functional sewing kit. Add some fabric and padding to the lid so it becomes a pincushion and you've got yourself a pretty great way to store sewing basics.
6. Soap dispenser. Keep hand or dish soap right where you need it by doing a simple DIY project on an old jar. Cut a hole in the lid, add a pump, and you're good to go! Canning jars also work great for storing homemade cleaners.
7. Terrarium. It's glass and it has a lid, so it's the perfect home for moisture loving plants like moss and ferns! Add rocks, dirt, and your selected greenery and you've got a great-looking terrarium you can put anywhere in your home.
8. Shabby chic vase. Who needs fancy vases when you've got a few jars on hand? You can just add water and flowers for a simple look, or make your own flower frog with the lid.
9. Gifts. The possibilities are endless when you use canning jars to make gifts. You can craft your own candles, fill them up with a delicious cookie mix, or make them into any of the other items on this list to give away. Check out this list for inspiration!
10. Herb planters. With the help of some leftover jars, you can always have your most-used herbs on hand in your kitchen, simply mount the jars to a board or the wall. They work just as well sitting on the counter, too, if you don't have the wall space.